Navigating Adobe After Effects can feel like diving into a maze of menus and tools. But what if you could cut through the chaos and get straight to the good stuff? That’s where keyboard shortcuts come in—your ultimate hack for speed and precision.
In this article, we’re breaking down the top 10 shortcuts that will transform how you work. These aren’t your average tips; they’re game-changing moves that’ll slash your editing time and give you more control over your projects. Say goodbye to endless clicking and hello to a more fluid, efficient editing experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, these shortcuts will help you cut through the noise and get straight to creating. Ready to up your After Effects game? Let’s get to it!
1. Timeline Shortcuts
Move Playhead 1 Frame Forward/Backward
- Windows: Ctrl + Right Arrow/Left Arrow or Page Down/Page Up
- macOS: Command + Right Arrow/Left Arrow
Set Work Area Start/End
- Set Work Area Start: B (both Windows and macOS)
- Set Work Area End: N (both Windows and macOS)
Set Work Area to Selected Layer
- Windows: Ctrl + Alt + B
- macOS: Command + Option + B
Trim Comp to Work Area
- Windows: Ctrl + Shift + X
- macOS: Command + Shift + X
Zoom In/Out on Timeline
- Windows: + (Zoom In) / - (Zoom Out)
- macOS: Same shortcut
Snap Playhead to Keyframe
- Windows & macOS: Shift + K (Next Keyframe) / Shift + J (Previous Keyframe)
2. Layer Shortcuts
Split a Layer
- Windows: Ctrl + Shift + D
- macOS: Command + Shift + D
Move Selected Layer 1 Frame Forward/Backward
- Windows: Alt + Page Up/Page Down
- macOS: Option + Page Up/Page Down
Duplicate Layer
- Windows: Ctrl + D
- macOS: Command + D
Pre-compose Layers
- Windows: Ctrl + Shift + C
- macOS: Command + Shift + C
New Solid Layer
- Windows: Ctrl + Y
- macOS: Command + Y
New adjustment layer
- Windows: Ctrl + Alt + Y
- macOS: Command + Option + Y
3. Keyframe Shortcuts
Add Keyframe to a Property
- Windows: Alt + Shift + P / S / R / T
- macOS: Option + Shift + [P / S / R / T]
Move Keyframe 1 Frame Forward/Backward
- Windows: Alt + Right Arrow/Left Arrow
- macOS: Option + Right Arrow/Left Arrow
Select All Keyframes of a Property
- Windows: Click on Property
- macOS: Click on Property
Easy Ease Keyframes
- Windows: F9
- macOS: Same shortcut
Remove Easy Ease Keyframe
- Windows: Ctrl + Click on Keyframe
- macOS: Command + Click on Keyframe
4. View and Navigation Shortcuts
Cycle Through Blending Modes
- Windows & macOS: Shift + = / -
You’ve now got the lowdown on the shortcuts that will seriously level up your Adobe After Effects game. These aren’t just handy tips—they’re the shortcuts that will save you time, boost your efficiency, and let your creativity run wild.
Don’t just skim these shortcuts; make them a part of your muscle memory. The more you use them, the smoother your workflow will become, and the more you’ll focus on making your projects pop.
So, ditch the tedious clicks and let these shortcuts drive your editing. It’s time to stop wasting time and start making magic. Go on, put these tips to work and watch your After Effects skills reach new heights.