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Tips and tricks

General

Auto-save

Alright, let’s talk auto-save. Picture this: you’re deep into an After Effects project, layers stacked high, everything’s looking perfect… and then — crash. Hours of work gone in a flash. Trust me, we’ve all been there (way too many times!).

That’s where auto-save comes into play. Go to Edit > Preferences > Auto-Save and just enable it, setting it to save every 5-10 minutes.

Alright, let’s talk auto-save. Picture this: you’re deep into an After Effects project, layers stacked high, everything’s looking perfect…and then — crash. Hours of work gone in a flash. Trust me, we’ve all been there (way too many times!).

It’s one of those little settings that’s so easy to miss, but it can save you from a world of frustration. So, do yourself a favor and enable it — you’ll thank yourself the next time After Effects decides to take a break at the worst possible moment.

Rendering to image sequences

Here’s a pro tip that can save you from a major headache — render to image sequences instead of video files, especially for long projects. Why? If you’re rendering directly to a video file and your system crashes or the render fails, you have to start all over again.

Here’s a pro tip that can save you from a major headache — render to image sequences instead of video files, especially for long projects. Why? If you’re rendering directly to a video file and your system crashes or the render fails, you have to start all over again.

But with an image sequence, each frame is saved individually. So, if there’s a hiccup, you can pick up from the last frame instead of having to re-render the whole thing. Plus, it’s super flexible — later you can easily bring the sequence back into After Effects or another editor to finalize as a video.

Quickly find your files

Ever spend ages searching for an asset in After Effects? Well, here’s a quick trick: just right-click on the layer in your timeline, select Reveal in Project — it’ll immediately show that asset in the Project panel.

Ever spend ages searching for an asset in After Effects? Here’s a quick trick: just right-click on the layer in your timeline and choose Reveal in Project—it’ll instantly locate that asset in the project panel.

Want to track the original file location on your computer? Select Reveal in Explorer or Finder on Mac, and it will open the folder your selected file is really stored in. No more messing around, just instant access!

Remove a black background​

With the Alpha From Lightness preset, removing a black background from your graphic or footage is quite easy. Here’s how to do it in just a few steps:

With the Alpha From Lightness preset, removing a black background from your graphic or footage is quite easy.

This technique works perfectly for particles, flares, or other black elements. It’s a clean and quick solution that doesn’t require any extra plugins.

Precomps

When your project starts feeling overwhelming with hundreds or even thousands of layers in one composition, precomps can be a lifesaver. Think of them as “mini compositions” that neatly organize multiple layers into one pack. Select the layers you want to group, right-click, and choose Pre-compose. Instantly, your chaotic timeline transforms into a clean, manageable setup with a single precomp instead of a cluttered mess!

When your project starts feeling overwhelming with hundreds or even thousands of layers in one composition, precomps can be a lifesaver.

This will make it a lot easier to organize complex projects. You can also add effects to the whole precomp at once, instead of having to do it on each layer. And if you ever need to make an adjustment inside, just double-click to jump back into the precomp and make your changes.

Effect presets

Got an effect combination you are using over and over? Here is a timesaver — save it as a preset! Set up your effects just the way you like them then select them and go to Animation > Save Animation Preset and give it a name.

Set up your effects just the way you like them then select them and go to Animation > Save Animation Preset and give it a name.

The next time you need it, it’s just a matter of going into Effects & Presets and finding your custom preset in there — it just will be sitting there, waiting to go. You won’t have to dig around or try to remember anything. This way you can just drop it in and continue working.

Multiple After Effects instances

Ever wanted to render in one instance of After Effects while working on another project? You can make it happen — no magic tricks involved, just a little tweak or two!

For Windows

For Mac

Backups

The little advice that will save you from headaches: always make backups of your projects! Sometimes, it is very easy to get into thinking that everything is safe, and in a single corrupted file or an accidental delete, you may lose hours or even days of work. All it takes is creating a habit: save the copy onto an external drive or cloud storage while working.

Every time you reach a big milestone, save a backup copy, labeling it with a date or version. That’s just one quick step in order to be sure, so it’s a lot easier later on to roll back if something went wrong. Trust me, your future self will be thankful!

Separating X, Y, and Z positions

Separating position dimensions in After Effects allows for greater flexibility in animating layers. By default, the Position property links all dimensions together, but you can split them to control each axis individually.

To do this:

Separating position dimensions in After Effects allows for greater flexibility in animating layers.

Now, X, Y, and Z positions are exposed as individual properties, making it easy to fine-tune movements or add expressions to any axis without impacting the others. This is perfect for creating smoother animations or tweaking complex motion paths with precision.

Name your layers

Naming layers is one of those habits that keeps your After Effects projects organized. By default, the names are almost useless — “Shape Layer 1” or “Comp 2”, making it much harder to find what you’re looking for in large compositions.

Select a layer and hit Enter (Return) to give it a descriptive name, like “Title Text” or “Background Shape”.

Naming layers is one of those habits that keeps your After Effects projects organized.

You can have short prefixes for backgrounds, like “BG_”, or “TXT_” for text layers. A clean timeline results in faster edits since there is minimal confusion about the process and thus reflects professionalism at work.

Keep two versions of After Effects installed

Running the latest version is great for new features, but having an older, stable version (like AE 2022) can save the day. It helps with plugin compatibility, avoids bugs, and ensures you can open client files (if any of them is using the older versions) without a hitch.

Take a break before reviewing your work

Right after you finish a project, your brain is still too close to it. You’re in build mode, zoomed in on the tiny details, not the bigger picture. That’s when it’s hardest to see what’s actually working and what isn’t. So instead of jumping straight into revisions, step away. Grab a coffee, switch tasks, or close the project until tomorrow.

When you come back with fresh eyes, the weak spots stand out, and the good parts feel clearer too. You’ll make smarter, faster edits without second-guessing everything.

Design​

Quick chromatic aberrations

Want that cool chromatic edge look? Here’s a quick way of doing it: add an adjustment layer over your footage, then apply the 3D Glasses effect. In the settings, set both the Left View and Right View to the same adjustment layer, and change the 3D View to Balanced Colored Red Blue.

Now, the fun part — start playing with Scene Convergence and Balance until it’s just the right amount of color shift. It’s super easy trick to give that little glitchy chromatic plus. Finally, add a Transform effect and scale it all up a bit to get rid of black edges.

Want that cool chromatic edge look? Here’s a quick way of doing it.

Duotone for better text readability​

A fast duotone tint can make a big difference when your text isn’t standing out on your footage. Go to Effect > Color Correction, search for Tint, and drag it onto your footage. Pick two colors that match your style, and watch your text pop without clashing with the background.

A fast duotone tint can make a big difference when your text isn’t standing out on your footage.

The duotone effect adds a clean, stylized touch that makes everything much easier to read. It’s simple yet enhances clarity without sacrificing aesthetics.

Rainbow gradient

Here’s a quick way to get the rainbow gradient effect in After Effects. First, add a Gradient Ramp effect to your layer. Then go to Effect > Color Correction and add Colorama — this will instantly turn your gradient into a full rainbow spectrum.

Here’s a quick way to get the rainbow gradient effect in After Effects.

For a final touch, push the End of Ramp point of the Gradient Ramp a little, so your gradient finishes with a nice violet tone. 

Subtle cinematic noise

Adding a subtle layer of noise can give your footage a cinematic, less “digital” feel. Apply the Noise effect to an adjustment layer above your composition, and set the intensity low, around 3-5%, to add just a hint of texture. This keeps it subtle without distracting from the main visuals.

For a more natural look, preview your noise effect in full resolution and, if needed, try setting the adjustment layer’s blending mode to Overlay or Soft Light. This trick helps your animations feel more grounded, giving them a polished, film-like quality.

Blinking text

Creating blinking text is a quick way to add dynamic motion to your designs. Start by selecting your text layer, then follow these steps:

To make the effect more impactful, change the Based On setting from Characters to Words or Lines. This makes entire words or lines blink instead of individual letters, creating a bolder, more readable animation.

You can take this even further by adding multiple Animators to the same text layer. For example, one Animator can control blinking by characters, while another handles blinking by words. Combining different Animators creates more complex, layered animations that give your text a unique, eye-catching look.

Deeper gradients

For a richer, more customizable gradient, the classic Gradient Ramp effect might feel limiting with only two color points. To unlock more creative control, combine Gradient Ramp with the CC Toner effect for deeper color possibilities. Here’s how to do it:

To unlock more creative control, combine Gradient Ramp with the CC Toner effect for deeper color possibilities.

This combo gives you precise control over each color point, allowing for smooth color transitions that look richer and more dynamic than the standard two-color gradients.

Glow with Drop Shadow

You can craft a beautiful glow effect using the Drop Shadow effect by stacking it with incremental Softness settings.

You can craft a beautiful glow effect using the Drop Shadow effect by stacking it with incremental Softness settings.

By layering soft shadows, you simulate a realistic glow effect without using a dedicated glow plugin. This method gives you precise control over the intensity and spread of the glow.

Gradient text boxes

Using a gradient in your text boxes can add a touch of depth and make your design feel more refined. Gradients bring a gentle shift in color that looks more natural and less flat than a solid fill. To set it up, go to Effect > Generate > Gradient Ramp, and apply it to your text box layer. Choose colors that complement your scene, and adjust the start and end points until you achieve a smooth transition.

Using a gradient in your text boxes can add a touch of depth and make your design feel more refined. Gradients bring a gentle shift in color that looks more natural and less flat than a solid fill. To set it up, go to Effect > Generate > Gradient Ramp, and apply it to your text box layer. Choose colors that complement your scene, and adjust the start and end points until you achieve a smooth transition.

This approach helps text boxes feel integrated and enhances the overall visual flow of your project. A subtle gradient can work wonders in giving your design that extra level of polish!

Bright tinted image as a background

A solid color background can feel flat. Use a deeply tinted image instead. To quickly achieve this in After Effects add a Tint effect, set both colors to the same shade, and adjust the Amount to Tint to 90-95%.

A solid color background can feel flat, especially in digital design. Instead, use a deeply tinted image.

This keeps the background from feeling overly stark while maintaining a clean look.

Natural shadows

When using a Drop Shadow effect in After Effects, relying on the default black shadow can make your text feel disconnected from the scene. Pure black shadows often look too harsh, especially on bright or colorful backgrounds, creating an unnatural contrast. Instead, try adjusting the shadow color to complement the overall tone of your background. Experiment with opacity and softness, a subtle, diffused shadow often looks more professional than a harsh, solid one.

A well-balanced shadow enhances readability without drawing too much attention to itself.

A well-balanced shadow enhances readability without drawing too much attention to itself. Small tweaks like adjusting the color and blur amount can make your text feel like it truly belongs in the composition rather than floating above it.

Avoid pure black and white

Using pure black (#000000) and pure white (#FFFFFF) can make your design feel harsh and unnatural. Instead opt for soft blacks (#121212 or #1E1E1E) and off-whites (#F5F5F5 or #FAFAFA) to create a more refined, visually pleasing look.

Slightly toned-down shades improve readability, reduce eye strain, and blend better with surrounding colors, making your design feel more professional.

Subtle contrast with soft shadows

Set your text and background to the same color and use a soft shadow to create contrast for an elegant look.

For an elegant look, set your text and background to the same color and use a soft shadow to create contrast.

Apply a Drop Shadow, adjust the Opacity to around 40%, increase the Softness, and experiment with the shadow color. This technique adds depth and readability while keeping the design refined and modern.

Monospace fonts for number animations

Use a monospace (fixed-width) font to keep the spacing consistent as digits change, when animating numbers. Unlike proportional fonts, where each digit has a different width, monospace fonts ensure that every number takes up the same space, so your text doesn’t shift or jitter during the animation.

This small detail makes your number animations look cleaner, especially in counters, timers, and data visuals. Try fonts like Roboto Mono, Courier, or Space Mono for a sleek, modern look.

Expressions

Blinking effect​

By using the time variable, you can create an automatic blink that cycles on its own, adding a polished look without needing lots of keyframes.

Try this expression in the opacity property of any layer:

Math.abs(Math.sin(time * 2)) * 100;

Here’s how it works: Math.sin(time * 2) generates a smooth oscillating curve based on time, moving between -1 and 1. Using Math.abs() converts it to positive values, creating a “blink” effect from 0 to 1. Multiplying by 100 scales it to opacity values, so the layer fades in and out smoothly between 0% and 100%.

To adjust the blinking speed, modify the multiplier on time (for example, time * 3 for a faster blink). This is perfect for adding subtle emphasis on icons, buttons, or any element where you want a repeating fade without fussing with keyframes.

Countdown timer​

Easily set up a countdown timer in After Effects: create a text layer and add this expression to the Source Text property:

startTime = 10; // Set your countdown start time
Math.max(0, Math.ceil(startTime - time));

This expression subtracts the current comp time from your starting time, counting down to zero. Adjust startTime to set your timer’s duration.

For extra customization, you can add a prefix by combining text with the countdown, like this:

"Time Left: " + Math.max(0, Math.ceil(startTime - time));

Jittering animation​

For a quick, random jitter effect, try this expression on your layer’s position property:

seedRandom(Math.floor(time * 10), true); // Sets a new random seed for each 0.1 seconds
distance = 10; // How far the layer bounces
[random(-distance, distance), random(-distance, distance)] + value;

This expression makes your layer jump to new positions every 0.1 seconds, creating a lively, jittering motion that’s perfect for adding subtle, random movement without keyframes.

Typewriter effect

Want to add a typewriter effect without messing around with keyframes? Here’s an easy trick: just add this expression to your text layer’s Source Text:

text = "Typewriter!"; // Replace with your text
characters = Math.floor(time * 6); // Adjust speed by changing 6
text.substring(0, characters);

This typewriter effect expression gradually reveals text by displaying characters one at a time. It works by defining your text in the text variable and using Math.floor(time * 6) to control the speed of the reveal — 6 sets how fast the text appears (adjust this number for faster or slower typing). The substring(0, characters) function then displays a portion of the text, starting from the first letter and increasing with each frame. As the time value grows, more characters are revealed, creating a typewriter effect without any keyframes.

Continuous rotation

If you want to add a seamless, infinite rotation to a layer without using keyframes, try using the time variable in an expression. By applying this simple expression to the rotation property, you can make any layer spin effortlessly:

time * rotationSpeed;

Replace rotationSpeed with a number that represents how fast you want the layer to spin. For example, time * 30 will create a steady rotation of 30 degrees per second. If you want a slower spin, lower the number; if you want it to spin faster, increase it.

Checkbox control for opacity

You can toggle a layer’s opacity using a Checkbox Control. Add the control from Effect > Expression Controls > Checkbox Control, then link it to the opacity with an expression. Alt-click the Opacity stopwatch and paste this expression:

effect("Checkbox Control")("Checkbox") ? 100 : 0;

When the checkbox is checked, the layer’s opacity will be 100%. When unchecked, it will drop to 0%. This approach is perfect for simple on/off visibility control without using keyframes.

Center the anchor point

Manually adjusting the anchor point for text layers can be time-consuming. Use this expression on the Anchor Point property (A shortcut) to automatically center it within the text bounding box:

sourceRect = sourceRectAtTime();
x = sourceRect.left + sourceRect.width / 2;
y = sourceRect.top + sourceRect.height / 2;
[x, y]

This ensures the anchor point stays perfectly centered, even when you edit the text.

Wiggle in one dimension

Need a wiggle effect but only in one direction? Modify the standard wiggle expression to control movement along a single axis.

For horizontal (X-axis) only, use:

w = wiggle(2, 50);  
[w[0], value[1]]

For vertical (Y-axis) only, use:

w = wiggle(2, 50);  
[value[0], w[1]]

This keeps movement restricted to one dimension while still adding natural randomness. Adjust the first value (frequency) and second value (amplitude) to fine-tune the effect.

Shortcuts

Expand your workspace

Press the ` key (right above Tab) to instantly expand any After Effects panel to full screen. Whether you’re working in the timeline, composition, or project panel, this key gives you a much bigger view of your workspace.

Press the ` key again, and everything snaps back to your normal layout. It’s a quick trick that makes navigating After Effects so much easier.

Redo your edits​

Made a mistake, hit Undo, and then realized you actually didn’t want to undo? No worries — you can quickly redo your action in After Effects with Ctrl + Shift + Z (on Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Z (on Mac).

This shortcut is a lifesaver when you’re experimenting and need to toggle back and forth between changes.

Essential shortcuts you’ll use constantly

Let’s talk about the shortcuts that will become your best friends in After Effects. These are the ones you’ll use almost every time you animate — and they’re super easy to remember:

Let’s talk about the shortcuts that will become your best friends in After Effects.

Just select your layer and press the corresponding key to quickly bring up the property. Need to adjust multiple properties at once? Hold Shift and press another shortcut (e.g., P, then Shift + T) to add more to your view.

Double-press shortcuts

Double-pressing certain keys in After Effects unlocks powerful shortcuts for specific tasks. Here’s the rundown of these incredibly useful time-savers:

These shortcuts are quick ways to access your layer’s most important properties without scrolling through menus. Try them out — they’ll save you tons of time!

Rotating a layer

Quickly rotating a layer without even touching the mouse? Yes, please! Use the Numpad + and Numpad – keys to rotate a selected layer in 1-degree increments. Here’s how it works:

Hold Shift while pressing + or – to rotate in 10-degree increments for quicker adjustments. It’s a great way to fine-tune rotations when positioning elements in your composition.

Precise keyframe nudging

Shifting keyframes by single frames is a breeze with this shortcut. Select the keyframe(s) you want to move and press Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Option + Left Arrow (Mac) to nudge them 1 frame earlier. Use Alt + Right Arrow (Windows) or Option + Right Arrow (Mac) to push them 1 frame later.

For larger adjustments, hold Shift along with Alt/Option to nudge keyframes by 10 frames at a time. It’s a precise and efficient way to tweak timing without dragging keyframes manually.

Scale a layer to fit the composition

Need to resize a layer perfectly to match your composition’s dimensions? These shortcuts make it effortless:

Need to resize a layer perfectly to match your composition’s dimensions? These shortcuts make it effortless:

These shortcuts are ideal for quickly resizing images, footage, or graphics while maintaining their aspect ratio. No more dragging handles or eyeballing — it’s precise and fast.

Creating new layers

Setting up your composition is easy with these shortcuts for creating essential layers:

These shortcuts help you keep your workflow smooth and focused. Add them to your routine and save valuable time.

Cycling through blending modes

Experimenting with blending modes is a great way to add depth and style to your compositions, and cycling through them is super quick with these shortcuts:

Experimenting with blending modes is a great way to add depth and style to your compositions, and cycling through them is super quick with these shortcuts

Simply select your layer in the timeline and use these shortcuts to preview different blending effects instantly.

Premiere Pro

Ripple delete

Ripple Delete is a simple but powerful tool in Premiere Pro that helps speed up editing by removing clips or gaps in the timeline while automatically shifting everything that follows to close the space. Instead of manually selecting and dragging clips to fill the gap, you can use Shift + Delete (or right-click and select Ripple Delete) to instantly remove unwanted sections without disrupting the flow of your edit. This keeps your timeline clean and eliminates unnecessary extra steps.

Ripple Delete is a simple but powerful tool in Premiere Pro that helps speed up editing by removing clips or gaps in the timeline while automatically shifting everything that follows to close the space.

Using Ripple Delete can make a big difference, especially when working with long-form content or making quick revisions. Whether you’re trimming an interview, tightening up pacing, or removing mistakes, it helps maintain a smooth and efficient workflow. Just be mindful when working with multiple layers, Ripple Delete affects everything on the timeline, so double-check that it won’t accidentally misalign clips or audio.

Plan your project before editing

Jumping straight into editing without a plan can slow you down and lead to unnecessary rework. Before cutting anything, take time to review your footage and organize your project. Create labeled bins for different types of shots, such as interviews, b-roll, or graphics, so you can find what you need quickly. Watching all your clips beforehand helps you identify the best moments, spot any issues, and get a sense of the pacing before making decisions in the timeline.

Jumping straight into editing without a plan can slow you down and lead to unnecessary rework.

A structured workflow not only makes editing smoother but also improves the final result. When you know what you’re working with, you can build a more cohesive story and avoid last-minute fixes. Setting up markers for key moments or making a rough outline of your edit can keep you focused and efficient. A little preparation at the start saves time in the long run and makes the entire editing process more enjoyable.

Set to Frame Size and Scale to Frame Size

When resizing clips in Premiere Pro, understanding the difference between Set to Frame Size and Scale to Frame Size can help you avoid unnecessary quality loss. Set to Frame Size adjusts the scale of your clip dynamically to match the sequence settings while preserving its full resolution. This means you can still tweak the scale later without losing quality. Scale to Frame Size, on the other hand, resamples the clip to fit the sequence at 100% scale, which reduces its resolution and may lead to a loss of detail if you need to scale up again. While Scale to Frame Size can improve playback performance for high-resolution clips, it’s not ideal for projects that require flexibility in resizing.

For most editing situations, Set to Frame Size is the better choice since it keeps the original quality and allows for future adjustments. But If you’re working with large, high-resolution files and just need a quick way to improve playback performance, Scale to Frame Size can be useful, just be mindful of the potential trade-offs.

Editing with MOV instead of MP4

When editing in Premiere Pro, MOV files are usually a better choice than MP4, mainly because they are more stable and produce fewer glitches. MOV files often use ProRes or DNxHD, which are optimized for editing, offering smoother playback and better performance. MP4 files, especially those with H.264 or H.265, are more compressed and can be harder for the software to process, leading to lag or occasional glitches. If you’re experiencing playback issues with MP4 files, converting them to ProRes MOV can make editing more reliable and efficient.

Playback and paused resolution

In Premiere Pro, you can adjust both playback resolution and paused resolution to balance performance and image quality. Playback resolution lowers the preview quality while the video is playing, making it easier to edit high-resolution footage without lag. Paused resolution controls how sharp the image appears when playback is stopped, helping you see finer details for precise edits.

In Premiere Pro, you can adjust both playback resolution and paused resolution to balance performance and image quality.

You can change both settings in the Program Monitor dropdown menu. Reducing playback resolution can improve performance, while keeping paused resolution at Full ensures you see the highest quality when fine-tuning your edits.

Essential shortcuts

Learning essential shortcuts in Premiere Pro can speed up your editing and make your workflow much smoother. Here are a few must-know shortcuts.

C for the Razor Tool to quickly cut clips, V to switch back to the Selection Tool, and Cmd/Ctrl + K to make a cut at the playhead without switching tools.

Use Shift + Delete for Ripple Delete, which removes a clip and closes the gap automatically.

For quick navigation, J, K, and L let you scrub through footage — L speeds up playback, J plays in reverse, and K pauses. For even finer control, Shift + J and Shift + L let you scrub in slower increments, making it easier to review footage frame by frame.

Mastering these shortcuts saves time and keeps your focus on the edit.

Optimize your export settings

When exporting in Premiere Pro, tailor your settings to your target platform for optimal quality and performance.

For instance, if your video is meant for YouTube or social media, using the H.264 codec with a balanced bitrate can deliver great quality without creating excessively large files.

For professional broadcast or archival projects, codecs like ProRes or DNxHD/HR provide superior quality and color depth, albeit with larger file sizes.

Mobile exports benefit from adjusted resolutions and lower bitrates to ensure smooth playback on various devices.

It’s also a good idea to enable settings like Maximum Render Quality and save your custom configurations as presets for future projects. Finally, always export a short test clip to confirm that your chosen settings meet your needs before committing to a full render.

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