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How to set up a composition in After Effects

A composition (or “comp”) is your main workspace in After Effects — it’s where all your layers, effects, and animations happen. Here’s how to set up a composition properly so you’re not fighting settings later.

Steps to set up a composition

Open After Effects and find the Project panel on the left. Hit the New Composition button at the bottom — it’s hard to miss.

After Effects Project panel with New Composition button highlighted

A settings window pops up. Name your comp something you’ll actually remember (trust me on this), then set your dimensions. For YouTube or most online stuff, 1920×1080 works. Set your frame rate — 24fps for film-like feel, 30fps for video, 60fps if you’re doing motion graphics with fast movement. Then hit OK.

Composition Settings window showing 1920x1080 resolution and 30fps frame rate

Your composition is now in the timeline, ready to go. Start adding layers.

Timeline panel in After Effects with empty composition visible

One more thing

Skip the button next time. Just hit Ctrl+N (Windows) / Command+N (Mac) and you’re done. Way faster once you get the muscle memory.

Related how-tos

How to create precomps in After Effects
How to use the timeline in After Effects
How to duplicate layers in After Effects

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