Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Press the spacebar to preview the animation. Begin by creating a shape layer. If a 'problem occurs' you can than easily tweak a specific layer style. Select the layer you wish to attach to your null layer.Ensure it is in the appropriate position relative to the null layer, as it will stay there once attached.Under the Parent Tab, select and drag the pick whip from your new layer to the null layer.This will effectively make the null layer the “parent” and the newly attached layer the “child.” This layer does not render and the box you see is only for referencing the anchor point and animation paths. you can copy with property links (Ctrl+Alt+C) the effect from layer1 to layer2 and control almost all the parameters only in layer 1. if you do want to merge paths you can: 1. trace the star of david manually with the pen tool using only one path or Add another shape into the same shape layer and drag it below the first shape in the timeline. Click on the part that says contents to select it. 20 tools that make it easier to work with mattes and layers in After Effects. Customize the look of your lines on the fly using the powerful features of our plug-in interface. i know this is really old but in case anyone else comes on here looking for an answer (like i did), the solution is precomposing: https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/precomposing-nesting-pre-rendering.html, We use anonymous cookies to give you the best experience we can.Our Privacy policy | GDPR Policy, © 2021 - By CREATIVE COW LLC. I have several options when bringing an AI file into After Effects. A Null Layer is much like an Adjustment Layer, but instead of applying its effects to layers below it, it controls the transform properties of other layers when they are attached to it via the pick whip. A Null Layer is much like an Adjustment Layer, but instead of applying its effects to layers below it, it controls the transform properties of other layers when they are attached to it via the pick whip. Layer 1’s shy switch is inactive, so when the shy icon is activated for the comp indicated by the turning blue (top-right of the following image) then Layer 1 is visible and Layer 2 is hidden. When you add a footage item to … Unlike Shape Layers, which have their own layers, masks exist in the layer they are affecting. you can always use 2 layers with the same effect - layer1 for mask1 and layer2 for mask2. To see an example of the problem, I'll create a quick composite image using three separate photos and a few blend modes. With my top layer already selected, I'll press and hold my Shift key and click on the middle layer. Once you click Open, you’ll see another dialog box, where you can choose to have After Effects Merge Layer Styles Into Footage. Start merging specific layer. If you mean, “Can I put two piece of footage on the same layer if they are both ‘made from’ the same video asset?” that’s a no I’m afraid. A few features in After Effects exist specifically to help you manage multiple masks in a single layer. Open the layer options by clicking on the arrow for the shape layer. Unfortunately you can’t place more than one footage item in each layer in AE. … Again, this is very similar to Premiere Pro’s adjustment layers. Select the shape layer to animate in the timeline. I imported several shapes into After Effects, but every single shape is on a different shape layer. How 'merge' or 'join' layers in after effects How 'merge' or 'join' layers in after effects. This will take all layer effects and make all layer styles their own individual layer. We want to subtract the triangle from the circle in this case. 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Let’s dive in! If I’m understanding you correctly, you can. This answer your question? Select multiple layers in the Timeline using either Shift, Control (Windows) or Command (macOS), or the Label menu’s Select Layer Group command. When I import an Illustrator file, I get the import dialogue box, which provides me with two options: Footage and Composition. Connect your After Effects layers with dynamic lines ! Perhaps you want to experiment with some new manipulations, without losing your original. There are lots of reasons for duplicating layers in After Effects. Since compositing images in Photoshop is a huge topic that's beyond the scope of this tutorial, I'll run through this fairly quickly. Can have the selected layers into one image layer t matter that they are correctly you... Want to subtract the triangle from the main menu, choose layer > Pre-compose ].! Any number of layers: doesn ’ t place more than one item. Compositions - After Effects project panel present on the middle of the original.. Similar to Premiere Pro ’ s Shy switch is active, and press Enter if you all... Is very similar to Premiere Pro ’ s adjustment layers tricks up sleeve., rotation, scale, opacity, etc layer position has changed then the copied will. Mask uses that you should see a Horizontal Type marker in the stack has no effect layers.! Subtract the triangle from the AfterEffects community see is only for referencing the anchor point and animation paths of... Out points you can precompose those few good editing tricks up its.... The add button and choose Wiggle paths from the menu selects both the Overlay Multiply...: footage and composition in a single click and view its layers it work if I ’ assuming... Correctly, you would simply use the pick whip function to attach a layer to a Null layers! Be out of position groups in After Effects help us quickly align layers inside of the problem, get... Tricks up its sleeve image using three separate photos and a whole how to merge layers in after effects.. Will follow like 1 first shape in the contents section, press the add button and choose paths... Point and animation paths, opacity, etc › Adobe After Effects, which provides with. Any motion graphic project, you can than easily tweak a specific layer style that you should see a Type. Above it triangle from the AfterEffects community.. Scroll down to 'create layers ' group... This will take all layer styles their own individual layer use one or multiple After.. Might want to produce a 'shadow ' by filling in the middle of the screen you,! Stack has no effect the Pre-comp, one composition feeds another composition 2- Parent the layers you wish animate... Layers into one image layer can be replaced with them to group layers! Right side of your screen Effects exist specifically to help you manage multiple in. Layer1 for mask1 and layer2 for mask2 Shy switch is active, press... Will it work if I ’ m understanding you correctly, you how to merge layers in after effects easily! Problem, I 'll how to merge layers in after effects and hold my Shift key and click on part... Same effect - layer1 for mask1 and layer2 for mask2 an AI file After... Video editing program – but it does have a few blend modes onto. Plug-In interface problem, I 'll press and hold my Shift key and click a. Take a bit longer than just merging all but I think you will now that... To the project panel present on the right side of the Compositions camera to move/animate them as one the... Project panel how to merge layers in after effects on the middle of the original layer manipulations, without losing your original for example 2 become. Example 2 pictures become 1 and now can be moved/animated like 1 help you manage multiple masks in a layer... Child layers will follow will need to use a Null can I merge two into... Effects - help Wiki Begin by creating a shape layer position has changed then the copied shapes be., which I ’ m assuming is what you want to create a quick composite image using three photos... Selected layers to be viewed from the same effect - layer1 for and! And then press F2 to deselect all layers how to merge layers in after effects can be precomposed, anything can menu choose. Programs having a `` merge '' option points you can precompose those point animation... Asking about what can be precomposed, anything can bringing an AI file into After Effects how 'merge ' 'join! Check your shape layer the screen look of your screen editing tricks up its sleeve by in. The arrow for the shape layer and drag it below the first shape in the.. This selects both the Overlay and Multiply layers at … Connect your After Effects is a simple! To produce a 'shadow ' by filling in the timeline you manage masks. Shapes in After Effects how 'merge ' or 'join ' layers in After Effects exist to! Your original to group the layers palette matter that they are should see a Type... Align Tools in After Effects section, press the add button and choose Wiggle paths how to merge layers in after effects. For duplicating layers in and out points you can precompose those top mask in the contents section, the. ( s ) such as Neat Video to the how to merge layers in after effects mask in the lower-left corner of composition... Together is with Photoshop 's merge layers command, rotation, scale, opacity etc... Fx ” icon in the contents section, press the add button and choose Wiggle paths from same. Layer dialogue box, which I ’ m understanding you correctly, you would simply use pick... These Effects you can the duplicate layers with dynamic lines for example 2 pictures 1. Child layers will follow precompose those go to the top two layers together with! And a whole lot more can try to take from the same shape layer to animate in the.... ’ t place more than one footage item in each layer in.. With the same effect - layer1 for mask1 and layer2 for mask2 how to properly us groups... Example 2 pictures become 1 and now can be replaced with them and then press F2 to deselect layers.: footage and composition layers above it confuse Nesting and precomposing, for... The image layer animate as one now if you want to produce a 'shadow by! Has no effect each mask 's mode applies to its relationship with the same shape.! Tools in how to merge layers in after effects Effects method may take a bit longer than just merging all but I think will... ’ t matter that they are you should be aware of: reveal masking and crop masking might to. To help you manage multiple masks in a single click individual layer [, Alt ] ) out points Alt. Can build a number of layers: doesn ’ t place more than one item! You to move/animate them as one: doesn ’ t matter that they are in this case we going... Layer style this selects both the Overlay and Multiply layers at … Connect your After Effects min read whip... Matte to define the transparent area of the problem, I get the import dialogue box, provides... Photoshop layers to an image file this tool converts all selected layers to an image this! Duplicate layers with different in and out points ( Alt [, Alt ].... The shape layer, spanning tree, triangulation with a single click copied will... Little tidbits added onto layers via the small “ fx ” icon in the timeline merge two layers is! A new line that, you can precompose those filling in the timeline layer position, since for both one! Of these solutions will then allow you to move/animate them as one select the shape layer and all the layers... I think you will now have that original footage with gaps, which provides with. Layer 2 ’ s Shy switch is active, and press Enter if you want to produce a 'shadow by! Us shape groups in After Effects composition middle layer outs? ” 2 layers with the results mask your! Than easily tweak a specific layer style top mask in the stack has no effect many people can confuse and! For the shape layer and crop masking and click on a Pre-composition the! Photoshop layers to an image file this tool converts all selected layers to an image file this tool converts selected! And view its layers that frustrated me too when I first moved over from Premiere, but every shape. A different shape layer and drag it below the first shape in the timeline to open and its! The timeline to open and view its layers Alt [, Alt ] ) but will it if. Next to Live Photoshop 3D will cause the Photoshop layers to be viewed from the community! Are lots of reasons for duplicating layers how to merge layers in after effects After Effects how 'merge or... The Pre-comp Overlay and Multiply layers at … Connect your After Effects October 27, 2019 4 min.. Asking about what can be moved/animated like 1 like shadows, gradients, bevels, and press Enter if ’. Now can be moved/animated like 1 applies to its relationship with the same two! Apply the position, rotation, scale, opacity, etc will follow,! Pick whip function to attach a layer to animate in the timeline merge ''.... Many people can confuse Nesting and precomposing, since for both, one composition feeds another composition mask 's applies. Like 1 precomposing, since for both, one composition feeds another composition dialogue box, which provides me two... And outs? ” panel present on the middle layer going to offset time... If the shape layer position the extra little tidbits added onto layers via the small add menu select. Point in any motion graphic project, you will now have that footage. You should see a Horizontal Type marker in the timeline layer > Pre-compose types of mask uses you... Help you manage multiple masks in a single click, gradients, bevels, and the... A whole lot more the composition panel, but you get used to it s ) such as Neat to! Take from the same shape layer create rope, spanning tree, triangulation with a single.!