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How to rotate objects in After Effects

Rotate objects to add life to your animations — from simple spins to gentle tilts that catch the eye.

Steps to rotate objects

Select your layer and press R to reveal Rotation.

Transform properties in the After Effects timeline with Rotation highlighted

Adjust the Rotation value to spin clockwise or counterclockwise — positive numbers spin one direction, negative the other.

Object in the After Effects composition viewer rotated at an angle

Click the stopwatch to set a keyframe for rotation, move your playhead forward, then change the value for animated spins. After Effects handles the tween.

Object in the After Effects composition with animated rotation

One more thing

Tap W for the Rotation Tool and drag directly in your comp viewer — it’s great for quick, visual tweaks without messing with numbers.

Related how-tos

How to scale objects in After Effects
How to change anchor point in After Effects
How to use easing for smooth animation in After Effects

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