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How to use the effects & presets panel in After Effects

The effects & presets panel is your library of all built-in effects — it’s where you find everything from blur to distortion to color correction.

Steps to use the effects & presets panel

Open it via Window → Effects & Presets.

Opening the Effects and Presets panel from the Window menu in After Effects

Search by typing “blur,” “glow,” or any keyword you’re looking for.

Searching for an effect by typing a keyword like blur or glow in the Effects and Presets panel in After Effects

Drag the effect onto a layer in the timeline or comp viewer and it applies instantly.

Dragging an effect from the Effects and Presets panel onto a layer in After Effects

One more thing

Press Ctrl+5 (Windows) / Command+5 (Mac) to quickly show or hide the panel without navigating menus.

Related how-tos

How to apply an effect in After Effects
How to search for effects quickly in After Effects
How to make glowing text in After Effects

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