Adobe After Effects is the industry-standard tool for visual effects and motion graphics. Post-production professionals and artists often rely on After Effects to generate visually stunning work for TV, film, web, and video.
However, the software itself can be quite complicated for beginners. There are many toolbars and menus within the program; thus, finding your way around can prove difficult. With that said, there are plenty of keyboard shortcuts for Adobe After Effects that will make your life easier.
Below, you'll find a list of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for beginners in Adobe After Effects.
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download the Adobe After Effects Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet.
Adobe After Effects Keyboard Shortcuts
| SHORTCUT | ACTION |
|---|---|
| General Shortcuts | |
| Ctrl + Alt + N | New Project |
| Ctrl + N | New Composition |
| Ctrl + O | Open Project |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P | Open a most recent Project |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + K | Open Project Settings dialog box |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N | New folder in Project panel |
| Ctrl + F | Find in Project panel |
| Ctrl + I | Import File |
| Ctrl + Alt + ; | Open After Effects Preferences |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| F2 or Ctrl + Shift + A | Deselect all |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + Shift + Z | Redo |
| 0 (Numpad) or Space | Preview your composition |
| Hover your mouse over the panel you want to expand and press ~ | Expand any panel to fit your entire screen |
| Ctrl + Alt + E | Interrupt running a script |
| Hold down the Spacebar, then click and drag what you want to move | Access the Hand Tool |
| Select what you want to duplicate, then press Ctrl + D | Duplicate selected layers, effects, masks… |
| Ctrl + S | Save your project |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Save As |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S | Increment and save your project |
| Transform Properties Shortcuts | |
| A | Anchor Point |
| P | Position |
| S | Scale |
| R | Rotation and Orientation |
| TT | Opacity |
| T | Opacity property (for lights, Intensity) |
| L | Audio Levels |
| F | Mask Feather |
| M | Mask Path |
| Hold Shift + any of the above hotkeys | Call out multiple transform properties simultaneously |
| U + U (double-press U) | View all adjusted properties |
| A + A (double-press A) | Show only Material Options property group |
| E + E (double-press E) | Show only expressions |
| S + S (double-press S) | Show only selected properties and groups |
| U | Show properties with keyframes |
| Keyframe Shortcuts | |
| Click property name | Select all property keyframes |
| Ctrl + Alt + A | Select all visible properties and keyframes |
| Shift + F2 or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + A | Deselect all keyframes, property groups, and properties |
| Alt + Shift + property shortcut | Add or remove keyframe at the current time |
| Select the keyframes + F9 | Convert linear keyframes to Easy Ease keyframes |
| Shift + F9 | Convert linear keyframes to Ease In keyframes |
| Ctrl + Shift + F9 | Convert linear keyframes to Ease Out keyframes |
| U | Pull out all your keyframes |
| J or K | Jump between keyframes |
| Page Up or Page Down | Move a single frame |
| I | Jump to the beginning of the layer |
| O | Jump to the end of the layer |
| Composition Panel Shortcuts | |
| , or . (You can also use the scroll wheel) | Zoom in or out |
| Shift + / | Fit the comp window to the entire screen |
| \ | Toggle between Composition panel and Timeline panel |
| Ctrl + J | Full resolution |
| Ctrl + Shift + J | Half resolution |
| Ctrl + Alt + J | Custom resolution |
| Layer Shortcuts | |
| Ctrl + Y | New Solid Layer |
| Ctrl + Alt + Y | New Adjustment Layer |
| Ctrl + Alt + Y | New Null Layer |
| Select layers + Ctrl + L | Lock certain layers |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Unlock all layers |
| F4 | Show/hide Modes columns and Layer Switches |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + V | Turn Video switch on/off for a selected layer/s |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Turn Video switch off for all video layers excluding the selected ones |
| Ctrl + Alt + V | Paste layers at the current time |
| Ctrl + Shift + D | Split selected layers (if you do not select layers, all layers are split) |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Open Effect Controls for a selected layer |
| Double-click a layer | Open layer in a Layer panel |
| Double-click effect selection in Effects & Presets panel | Add an effect/s to selected layers |
| Select layers + Alt + Home | Move layers so that their In point is at the beginning of a composition |
| Select layers + Alt + End | Move layers so that their Out point is at the end of a composition |
| Other Shortcuts | |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Open the Pre-compose box |
| Ctrl + R | Activate Rulers |
| Ctrl + ; | Toggle Guides |
| Ctrl + Shift + ; | Turn on Guide Snapping |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ; | Lock Guides |
| Ctrl + ‘ | Activate grid |
| V | Activate Selection Tool |
| H | Activate Hand Tool |
| C | Activate Camera Tool |
| G | Activate Pen Tool |
After Effects Can Create Professional Footage
It takes a while to get used to Adobe After Effects, so do not feel discouraged if things do not end up the way you wanted in the beginning. By using these keyboard shortcuts, you'll be able to create the most efficient workflow possible.
