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Keyboard shortcuts in After Effects

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  1. After Effects User Guide
  2. Beta releases
    1. Beta Program Overview
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  3. Getting started
    1. Get started with After Effects
    2. What's new in After Effects 
    3. Release Notes | After Effects
    4. After Effects system requirements
    5. Keyboard shortcuts in After Effects
    6. Supported File formats | After Effects
    7. Hardware recommendations
    8. After Effects for Apple silicon
    9. Planning and setup
  4. Workspaces
    1. General user interface items
    2. Get to know After Effects interface
    3. Workflows
    4. Workspaces, panels, and viewers
  5. Projects and compositions
    1. Projects
    2. Composition basics
    3. Precomposing, nesting, and pre-rendering
    4. View detailed performance information with the Composition Profiler
    5. CINEMA 4D Composition Renderer
  6. Importing footage
    1. Preparing and importing still images
    2. Importing from After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro
    3. Importing and interpreting video and audio
    4. Preparing and importing 3D image files
    5. Importing and interpreting footage items
    6. Working with footage items
    7. Detect edit points using Scene Edit Detection
    8. XMP metadata
  7. Text and Graphics
    1. Text
      1. Formatting characters and the Character panel
      2. Text effects
      3. Creating and editing text layers
      4. Formatting paragraphs and the Paragraph panel
      5. Extruding text and shape layers
      6. Animating text
      7. Examples and resources for text animation
      8. Live Text Templates
    2. Motion Graphics
      1. Work with Motion Graphics templates in After Effects
      2. Use expressions to create drop-down lists in Motion Graphics templates
      3. Work with Essential Properties to create Motion Graphics templates
      4. Replace images and videos in Motion Graphics templates and Essential Properties
      5. Animate faster and easier using the Properties panel
  8. Drawing, Painting, and Paths
    1. Overview of shape layers, paths, and vector graphics
    2. Paint tools: Brush, Clone Stamp, and Eraser
    3. Taper shape strokes
    4. Shape attributes, paint operations, and path operations for shape layers
    5. Use Offset Paths shape effect to alter shapes
    6. Creating shapes
    7. Create masks
    8. Remove objects from your videos with the Content-Aware Fill panel
    9. Roto Brush and Refine Matte
  9. Layers, Markers, and Camera
    1. Selecting and arranging layers
    2. Blending modes and layer styles
    3. 3D layers
    4. Layer properties
    5. Creating layers
    6. Managing layers
    7. Layer markers and composition markers
    8. Cameras, lights, and points of interest
  10. Animation, Keyframes, Motion Tracking, and Keying
    1. Animation
      1. Animation basics
      2. Animating with Puppet tools
      3. Managing and animating shape paths and masks
      4. Animating Sketch and Capture shapes using After Effects
      5. Assorted animation tools
      6. Work with Data-driven animation
    2. Keyframe
      1. Keyframe interpolation
      2. Setting, selecting, and deleting keyframes
      3. Editing, moving, and copying keyframes
    3. Motion tracking
      1. Tracking and stabilizing motion
      2. Face Tracking
      3. Mask Tracking
      4. Mask Reference
      5. Speed
      6. Time-stretching and time-remapping
      7. Timecode and time display units
    4. Keying
      1. Keying
      2. Keying effects
  11. Transparency and Compositing
    1. Compositing and transparency overview and resources
    2. Alpha channels and masks
    3. Track Mattes and Traveling Mattes
  12. Adjusting color
    1. Color basics
    2. Color management
    3. Color Correction effects
    4. OpenColorIO and ACES color management
  13. Effects and Animation Presets
    1. Effects and animation presets overview
    2. Effect list
    3. Effect Manager
    4. Simulation effects
    5. Stylize effects
    6. Audio effects
    7. Distort effects
    8. Perspective effects
    9. Channel effects
    10. Generate effects
    11. Time effects
    12. Transition effects
    13. The Rolling Shutter Repair effect
    14. Blur and Sharpen effects
    15. 3D Channel effects
    16. Utility effects
    17. Matte effects
    18. Noise and Grain effects
    19. Detail-preserving Upscale effect
    20. Obsolete effects
  14. Expressions and Automation
    1. Expressions
      1. Expression basics
      2. Understanding the expression language
      3. Using expression controls
      4. Syntax differences between the JavaScript and Legacy ExtendScript expression engines
      5. Editing expressions
      6. Expression errors
      7. Using the Expressions editor
      8. Use expressions to edit and access text properties
      9. Expression language reference
      10. Expression examples
    2. Automation
      1. Automation
      2. Scripts
  15. Immersive video, VR, and 3D
    1. Construct VR environments in After Effects
    2. Apply immersive video effects
    3. Compositing tools for VR/360 videos
    4. Advanced 3D Renderer
    5. Import and add 3D models to your composition
    6. Import 3D models from Creative Cloud Libraries
    7. Image-Based Lighting
    8. Extract and animate lights and cameras from 3D models
    9. Tracking 3D camera movement
    10. Cast and accept shadows
    11. Embedded 3D model animations
    12. Shadow Catcher
    13. 3D depth data extraction
    14. Modify materials properties of a 3D layer
    15. Work in 3D Design Space
    16. 3D Transform Gizmos
    17. Do more with 3D animation
    18. Preview changes to 3D designs real time with the Mercury 3D engine
    19. Add responsive design to your graphics 
  16. Views and Previews
    1. Previewing
    2. Video preview with Mercury Transmit
    3. Modifying and using views
  17. Rendering and Exporting
    1. Basics of rendering and exporting
    2. H.264 Encoding in After Effects
    3. Export an After Effects project as an Adobe Premiere Pro project
    4. Converting movies
    5. Multi-frame rendering
    6. Automated rendering and network rendering
    7. Rendering and exporting still images and still-image sequences
    8. Using the GoPro CineForm codec in After Effects
  18. Working with other applications
    1. Dynamic Link and After Effects
    2. Working with After Effects and other applications
      1. Export After Effects project as Premiere Pro project
    3. Sync Settings in After Effects
    4. Creative Cloud Libraries in After Effects
    5. Plug-ins
    6. Cinema 4D and Cineware
  19. Collaboration: Frame.io, and Team Projects
    1. Collaboration in Premiere Pro and After Effects
    2. Frame.io
      1. Install and activate Frame.io
      2. Use Frame.io with Premiere Pro and After Effects
      3. Frequently asked questions
    3. Team Projects
      1. Get Started with Team Projects
      2. Create a Team Project
      3. Collaborate with Team Projects
  20. Memory, storage, performance
    1. Memory and storage
    2. How After Effects handles low memory issues while previewing    
    3. Improve performance
    4. Preferences
    5. GPU and GPU driver requirements for After Effects
  21. Knowledge Base
    1. Known issues
    2. Fixed issues
    3. Frequently asked questions
    4. After Effects and macOS Ventura
    5. How After Effects handles low memory issues while previewing

Use this handy list to reference keyboard shortcuts for After Effects and even print a PDF of the keyboard shortcuts. You can also use the visual keyboard shortcut editor to customize the shortcuts and assign multiple shortcuts to a command.

Visual Keyboard Shortcut Editor

You can work visually when you lay out your keyboard shortcuts with the visual keyboard shortcut editor. You can use the keyboard user interface to view the keys that have been assigned shortcuts, available keys for assignment, and modify assigned shortcuts.

Work with Visual Keyboard Shortcut Editor

To open the editor, select Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts or

  • Windows: Ctrl + Alt + '
  • macOS: Option + Command + '

The editor is divided into three parts:

Keyboard shortcut UI
Keyboard shortcut UI

  • Keyboard layout: A representation of the hardware keyboard where you can view which keys have been assigned a shortcut, and which are available.
  • Command list: The list displays all the commands that can be assigned shortcuts.
  • Key modifier list: The list displays all the modifier combinations and assigned shortcuts associated with the key you select on the keyboard layout.

Color coding

Gray: In the keyboard layout, keys shaded gray do not have any shortcuts assigned to them.

Purple: In the keyboard layout, keys shaded purple are assigned application-wide shortcuts.

Green: In the keyboard layout keys shaded green are assigned panel-specific shortcuts.

Application Shortcuts

The keyboard layout displays application-wide shortcuts by default. These shortcuts work irrespective of which panel is selected. The Command list displays the entire set of commands available. When you select a key in the keyboard layout for application-wide commands, the key is outlined with a blue focus indicator. The Command list displays the Application command assigned to it. The Key modifier list inspects and it displays a list of all the commands assigned to the key and each of the possible modifier combinations.

Panel shortcuts

You can switch to panel-specific view from the Command drop-down list. The keyboard layout only displays keys shaded green. These shortcuts only work when the specific panel is active. When you view a set of Panel shortcuts, only the commands specific to that panel are displayed.

Panel shortcuts
Panel shortcuts

Assigning shortcuts

You can assign shortcuts to commands in the Command list shortcut column. Select the command and type the shortcut in the text field. You can search for commands in the Command List, which is filtered by the search criteria. You can also assign shortcuts by clicking in the shortcut column and tapping keys on their keyboard to create the shortcut (including adding modifiers). 

You can also assign shortcuts by dragging a command from the Command list onto a key in the keyboard layout or to the Key modifier list. You can drag keys in the keyboard layout onto a command in the Command List to assign them to the command. When a Panel shortcut has the same assigned shortcut as an Application shortcut, the application-wide shortcut does not function when that panel is active. 

When After Effects detects a non-supported keyboard, the default view is to display the U.S. English keyboard. By default, the After Effects Default preset is displayed.

Exceptions

After Effects does not allow you to reassign the following keys:

  • A
  • AA
  • E
  • EE
  • F
  • FF
  • L
  • LL
  • M
  • MM
  • P
  • PP
  • R
  • RR
  • S
  • SS
  • T 
  • TT
  • U
  • UU

Key tool tips

Long commands assigned to keys are abbreviated. Hover over a key to view a tool tip containing the full name of the command, and information whether it is an Application or Panel shortcut.

Conflicts and resolutions

Conflicts

A warning indicating a shortcut conflict appears when:

  • An Application shortcut already in use by another Application shortcut.
  • A Panel shortcut is already in use by another command in the same panel. 
  • A Panel shortcut overrides an Application shortcut when that panel has focus.

Resolution

  • When you type a shortcut that is already in use with another command, a warning message is displayed at the bottom of the editor.
  • Undo and Clear buttons in the lower right corner are enabled.
  • The command in conflict is highlighted in blue, and clicking this automatically selects the command in the Command List.

Saving custom keyboard shortcut sets

You can modify the shortcuts and save them using the Save As button.

General

Result

Windows

macOS

Select all

Ctrl + A

Command + A

Deselect all

F2 or Ctrl + Shift + A

F2 or Command + Shift + A

Rename selected layer, composition, folder, effect, group, or mask

Enter on the main keyboard

Return

Open selected layer, composition, or footage item

Enter on the numeric keypad

Enter on the numeric keypad

Move selected layers, masks, effects, or render items down (back) or up (forward) in stacking order

Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow or Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow

Command + Option + Down Arrow or Command + Option + Up Arrow

Move selected layers, masks, effects, or render items to bottom (back) or top (front) of stacking order

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Down Arrow or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Up Arrow

Command + Option + Shift + Down Arrow or Command + Option + Shift + Up Arrow

Extend selection to next item in Project panel, Render Queue panel, or Effect Controls panel

Shift + Down Arrow

Shift + Down Arrow

Extend selection to previous item in Project panel, Render Queue panel, or Effect Controls panel

Shift + Up Arrow

Shift + Up Arrow

Duplicate selected layers, masks, effects, text selectors, animators, puppet meshes, shapes, render items, output modules, or compositions

Ctrl + D

Command + D

Quit

Ctrl + Q

Command + Q

Undo

Ctrl + Z

Command + Z

Redo

Ctrl + Shift + Z

Command + Shift + Z

Purge All Memory

Ctrl + Alt + / (on the numeric keypad)

Command + Option + / (on the numeric keypad)

Interrupt running a script

Esc

Esc
Display filename corresponding to the frame at the current time in the Info panel Ctrl + Alt + E Command + Option + E

Projects

Result

Windows

macOS

New project

Ctrl + Alt + N

Command + Option + N

Open project

Ctrl + O

Command + O

Open most recent project

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P

Command + Option + Shift + P

New folder in Project panel

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N

Command + Option + Shift + N

Open Project Settings dialog box

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + K

Command + Option + Shift + K

Find in Project panel

Ctrl + F

Command + F

Cycle through color bit depths for project

Alt-click the bit-depth button at bottom of the Project panel

Option-click the bit-depth button at bottom of the Project panel

Open Project Settings dialog box

Select the bit-depth button at bottom of the Project panel

Select the bit-depth button at the bottom of the Project panel

Preferences

Result

Windows

macOS

Open Preferences dialog box

Ctrl + Alt + ;  (semicolon)

Command + Option + ;  (semicolon)

Restore default preferences settings

Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift while starting After Effects

Hold down Command + Option + Shift while starting After Effects

Panels, viewers, workspaces, and windows

Note:

(macOS) Shortcuts involving function keys F9-F12 may conflict with shortcuts used by the operating system. See macOS Help for instructions to reassign Dashboard & Expose shortcuts.

Result

Windows

macOS

Open or close Project panel

Ctrl + 0

Command + 0

Open or close Render Queue panel

Ctrl + Alt + 0

Command + Option + 0

Open or close Tools panel

Ctrl + 1

Command + 1

Open or close Info panel

Ctrl + 2

Command + 2

Open or close Preview panel

Ctrl + 3

Command + 3

Open or close Audio panel

Ctrl + 4

Command + 4

Open or close Effects & Presets panel

Ctrl + 5

Command + 5

Open or close Character panel

Ctrl + 6

Command + 6

Open or close Paragraph panel

Ctrl + 7

Command + 7

Open or close Paint panel

Ctrl + 8

Command + 8

Open or close Brushes panel

Ctrl + 9

Command + 9

Open or close Effect Controls panel for selected layer

F3 or Ctrl + Shift + T

F3 or Command + Option + T

Open Flowchart panel for project flowchart

Ctrl + F11

Command + F11

Switch to workspace

Shift + F10, Shift + F11, or Shift + F12

Shift + F10, Shift + F11, or Shift + F12

Close active viewer or panel (closes content first)

Ctrl + W

Command + W

Close active panel or all viewers of type of active viewer (closes content first). For example, if a Timeline panel is active, this command closes all Timeline panels.

Ctrl + Shift + W

Command + Shift + W

Split the frame containing the active viewer and create a viewer with opposite locked/unlocked state

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N

Command + Option + Shift + N 

Maximize or restore panel under pointer

` (accent grave)

` (accent grave)

Resize application window or floating window to fit screen. (Press again to resize window so that contents fill the screen.)

Ctrl + \  (backslash)

Command + \  (backslash)

Move application window or floating window to main monitor; resize window to fit screen. (Press again to resize window so that contents fill the screen.)

Ctrl + Alt + \  (backslash)

Command + Option + \  (backslash)

Toggle activation between Composition panel and Timeline panel for current composition

\ (backslash)

\  (backslash)

Cycle to previous or next item in active viewer (for example, cycle through open compositions)

Shift + ,  (comma) or Shift + . (period)

Shift + ,  (comma) or Shift + .  (period)

Cycle to previous or next panel in active frame (for example, cycle through open Timeline panels)

Alt + Shift + ,  (comma) or Alt + Shift + . (period)

Option + Shift + ,  (comma) or Option + Shift + . (period)

Activate a view in a multi-view layout in the Composition panel without affecting layer selection

Select with the middle mouse button

Select with the middle mouse button

Activate tools

Note:

You can activate some tools only under certain circumstances. For example, you can activate a camera tool only when the active composition contains a camera layer.

Note:

To momentarily activate a tool with a single-letter keyboard shortcut, hold down the key; release the key to return to the previously active tool. To activate a tool and keep it active, press the key and immediately release it.

Result

Windows

macOS

Cycle through tools

Alt-click the tool button in the Tools panel

Option-click the tool button in the Tools panel

Activate Selection tool

V

V

Activate Hand tool

H

H

Temporarily activate Hand tool

Hold down the spacebar or the middle mouse button

Hold down the spacebar or the middle mouse button

Activate Zoom In tool

Z

Z

Activate Zoom Out tool

Alt (when Zoom In tool is active)

Option (when Zoom In tool is active)

Activate Rotation tool

W

W

Activate Roto Brush tool

Alt + W

Option + W
Activate Refine Edge tool Alt + W Option + W

Activate and cycle through Camera tools (Unified Camera, Orbit Camera, Track XY Camera, and Track Z Camera)

C

C

Activate Pan Behind tool

Y

Y

Activate and cycle through mask and shape tools (Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Star)

Q

Q

Activate and cycle through Type tools (Horizontal and Vertical)

Ctrl + T

Command + T

Activate and cycle between the Pen and Mask Feather tools. (Note: You can turn off this setting in the Preferences dialog box.)

G

G

Temporarily activate Selection tool when a pen tool is selected

Ctrl

Command

Temporarily activate Pen tool when the Selection tool is selected and pointer is over a path (Add Vertex tool when pointer is over a segment; Convert Vertex tool when pointer is over a vertex)

Ctrl + Alt

Command + Option

Activate and cycle through Brush, Clone Stamp, and Eraser tools

Ctrl + B

Command + B

Activate and cycle through Puppet tools

Ctrl + P

Command + P

Temporarily convert Selection tool to Shape Duplication tool

Alt (in shape layer)

Option (in shape layer)

Temporarily convert Selection tool to Direct Selection tool

Ctrl (in shape layer)

Command (in shape layer)

Compositions and the work area

Result

Windows

macOS

New composition

Ctrl + N

Command + N

Open Composition Settings dialog box for selected composition

Ctrl + K

Command + K

Set beginning or end of work area to current time

B or N

B or N

Set work area to duration of selected layers or, if no layers are selected, set work area to composition duration

Ctrl + Alt + B

Command + Option + B

Open Composition Mini-Flowchart for active composition

Tab

Tab

Activate the most recently active composition that is in the same composition hierarchy (network of nested compositions) as the currently active composition

Shift + Esc

Shift + Esc

Trim Composition to work area

Ctrl + Shift + X

Command + Shift + X

New Composition from selection

Alt + \

Command + \

Time navigation

Result

Windows

macOS

Go to specific time

Alt + Shift + J

Option + Shift + J

Go to beginning or end of work area

Shift + Home or Shift + End

Shift + Home or Shift + End

Go to previous or next visible item in time ruler (keyframe, layer marker, work area beginning or end)

(Note: Also goes to beginning, end, or base frame of Roto Brush span if viewing Roto Brush in Layer panel.)

J or K

J or K

Go to beginning of composition, layer, or footage item

Home or Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow

Home or Command + Option + Left Arrow

Go to end of composition, layer, or footage item

End or Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow

End or Command + Option + Right Arrow

Go forward 1 frame

Page Down or Ctrl + Right Arrow

Page Down or Command + Right Arrow

Go forward 10 frames

Shift + Page Down or Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow

Shift + Page Down or Command + Shift + Right Arrow

Go backward 1 frame

Page Up or Ctrl + Left Arrow

Page Up or Command + Left Arrow

Go backward 10 frames

Shift + Page Up or Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow

Shift + Page Up or Command + Shift + Left Arrow

Go to layer In point

I

I

Go to layer Out point

O

O

Go to previous In point or Out point

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left Arrow

Command + Option + Shift + Left Arrow

Go to next In point or Out point

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Right Arrow

Command + Option + Shift + Right Arrow

Scroll to current time in Timeline panel

D

D

Previews

Result

Windows

macOS

Start or stop the preview

Spacebar, 0 on the numeric keypad, Shift + 0 on the numeric keypad

Spacebar, 0 on numeric keypad, Shift + 0 on numeric keypad
Reset preview settings to replicate RAM Preview and Standard Preview behaviors Alt-click Reset in the Preview panel Option-click Reset in the Preview panel

Preview only audio from the current time

. (decimal point) on numeric keypad*

. (decimal point) on numeric keypad* or Control + . (period) on the main keyboard

Preview only audio in the work area

Alt + . (decimal point) on numeric keypad*

Option + . (decimal point) on numeric keypad* or Control + Command + . (period) on the main keyboard

Manually preview (scrub) video

Drag or Alt-drag current-time indicator, depending on the Live Update setting.

Drag or Option-drag current-time indicator, depending on the Live Update setting.

Manually preview (scrub) audio

Ctrl-drag current-time indicator

Command-drag current-time indicator

Preview number of frames specified by Alternate Preview preference (defaults to 5)

Alt + 0 on numeric keypad*

Option + 0 on numeric keypad* or Control + Option + 0 (zero) on the main keyboard

Toggle Mercury Transmit video preview

/ (on numeric keypad)

/ (on numeric keypad), Control + / on the main keyboard  

Take snapshot

Shift + F5, Shift + F6, Shift + F7, or Shift + F8

Shift + F5, Shift + F6, Shift + F7, or Shift + F8

Display snapshot in the active viewer

F5, F6, F7, or F8

F5, F6, F7, or F8

Purge snapshot

Ctrl + Shift + F5, Ctrl + Shift + F6, Ctrl + Shift + F7, or Ctrl + Shift + F8

Command + Shift + F5, Command + Shift + F6, Command + Shift + F7, or Command + Shift + F8
Fast Previews > Off Ctrl + Alt + 1 Command + Option + 1
Fast Previews > Adaptive Resolution Ctrl + Alt + 2 Command + Option + 2
Fast Previews > Draft Ctrl + Alt + 3 Command + Option + 3
Fast Previews > Fast Draft Ctrl + Alt + 4 Command + Option + 4
Fast Previews > Wireframe Ctrl + Alt + 5 Command + Option + 5
Note:

Some shortcuts are marked with an asterisk (*) to remind you to make sure that Num Lock is on when you use the numeric keypad.

Views

Result

Windows

macOS

Turn display color management on or off for an active view

Shift + / (on numeric keypad)

Shift + / (on numeric keypad)

Show red, green, blue, or alpha channel as grayscale

Alt + 1, Alt + 2, Alt + 3, Alt + 4

Option + 1

Option + 2

Option + 3

Option + 4

Show colorized red, green, or blue channel

Alt + Shift + 1, Alt + Shift + 2, Alt + Shift + 3

Option + Shift + 1

Option + Shift + 2

Option + Shift + 3

Toggle showing straight RGB color

Alt + Shift + 4

Option + Shift + 4

Show the alpha boundary (outline between transparent and opaque regions) in the Layer panel

Alt + 5

Option + 5

Show alpha overlay (colored overlay on transparent regions) in the Layer panel

Alt + 6

Option + 6
Show Refine Edge X-ray Alt + X Option + X

Center composition in the panel

Double-click the Hand tool

Double-click the Hand tool

Zoom-in in Composition, Layer, or Footage panel

. (period) on the main keyboard

. (period) on the main keyboard

Zoom-out in Composition, Layer, or Footage panel

, (comma)

, (comma)

Zoom to 100% in the Composition, Layer, or Footage panel

/ (on main keyboard)

/ (on main keyboard)

Zoom to fit in Composition, Layer, or Footage panel

Shift + / (on main keyboard)

Shift + / (on main keyboard)

Zoom up to 100% to fit in the Composition, Layer, or Footage panel

Alt + / (on main keyboard)

Option + / (on main keyboard)

Set resolution to Full, Half, or Custom in the Composition panel

Ctrl + J, Ctrl + Shift + J, Ctrl + Alt + J

Command + J

Command + Shift + J

Command + Option + J

Open the View Options dialog box for the active Composition panel

Ctrl + Alt + U

Command + Option + U

Zoom in time

= (equal sign) on the main keyboard

= (equal sign) on the main keyboard

Zoom out time

- (hyphen) on the main keyboard

- (hyphen) on the main keyboard

Zoom in the Timeline panel to single-frame units (Press again to zoom out to show the entire composition duration.)

; (semicolon)

; (semicolon)

Zoom out in the Timeline panel to show the entire composition duration (Press again to zoom back into the duration specified by the Time Navigator.)

Shift + ; (semicolon)

Shift + ; (semicolon)

Prevent images from being rendered for previews in viewer panels

Caps Lock

Caps Lock

Show or hide safe zones

' (apostrophe)

' (apostrophe)

Show or hide the grid

Ctrl + ' (apostrophe)

Command + '  (apostrophe)

Show or hide the proportional grid

Alt + ' (apostrophe)

Command + '  (apostrophe)

Show or hide rulers

Ctrl + R

Command + R

Show or hide guides

Ctrl + ; (semicolon)

Command + ;  (semicolon)

Turn snapping to grid on or off

Ctrl + Shift + ' (apostrophe)

Command + Shift + ' (apostrophe)

Turn snapping to guides on or off

Ctrl + Shift + ; (semicolon)

Command + Shift + ; (semicolon)

Lock or unlock guides

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ; (semicolon)

Command + Option + Shift + ; (semicolon)

Show or hide layer controls (masks, motion paths, light and camera wireframes, effect control points, and layer handles)

Ctrl + Shift + H

Command + Shift + H

Footage

Result

Windows

macOS

Import one file or image sequence

Ctrl + I

Command + I

Import multiple files or image sequences

Ctrl + Alt + I

Command + Option + I

Open movie in an After Effects Footage panel

Double-click the footage item in the Project panel

Double-click the footage item in the Project panel

Add selected items to most recently activated composition

Ctrl + / (on main keyboard)

Command + / (on main keyboard)

Replace selected source footage for selected layers with footage item selected in Project panel

Ctrl + Alt + / (on main keyboard)

Command + Option + / (on the main keyboard)

Replace source for a selected layer

Alt-drag footage item from the Project panel onto selected layer

Option-drag footage item from the Project panel onto a selected layer

Delete a footage item without a warning

Ctrl + Backspace

Command + Delete

Open Interpret Footage dialog box for selected footage item

Ctrl + Alt + G

Command + Option + G

Remember footage interpretation

Ctrl + Alt + C

Command + Option + C

Edit selected footage item in application with which it’s associated (Edit Original)

Ctrl + E

Command + E

Replace selected footage item

Ctrl + H

Command + H

Reload selected footage items

Ctrl + Alt + L

Command + Option + L

Set proxy for selected footage item

Ctrl + Alt + P

Command + Option + P

Effects and animation presets

Result

Windows

macOS

Delete all effects from selected layers

Ctrl + Shift + E

Command + Shift + E

Apply most recently applied effect to selected layers

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E

Command + Option + Shift + E

Apply most recently applied animation preset to selected layers

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F

Command + Option + Shift + F

Layers

Note:

Some operations do not affect shy layers.

Result

Windows

macOS

New solid layer

Ctrl + Y

Command + Y

New null layer

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Y

Command + Option + Shift + Y

New adjustment layer

Ctrl + Alt + Y

Command + Option + Y

Select layer (1-999) by its number (enter digits rapidly for two-digit and three-digit numbers)

 0-9 on numeric keypad*

0-9 on the numeric keypad*

Toggle selection of layer (1-999) by its number (enter digits rapidly for two-digit and three-digit numbers)

Shift + 0-9 on numeric keypad*

Shift + 0-9 on numeric keypad*

Select next layer in stacking order

Ctrl + Down Arrow

Command + Down Arrow

Select previous layer in stacking order

Ctrl + Up Arrow

Command + Up Arrow

Extend selection to next layer in stacking order

Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow

Command + Shift + Down Arrow

Extend selection to previous layer in stacking order

Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow

Command + Shift + Up Arrow

Deselect all layers

Ctrl + Shift + A

Command + Shift + A

Scroll topmost selected layer to top of Timeline panel

X

X

Show or hide Parent column

Shift + F4

Shift + F4

Show or hide Layer Switches and Modes columns

F4

F4
Setting the sampling method for selected layers (Best/Bilinear) Alt + B Option + B
Setting the sampling method for selected layers (Best/Bicubic) Alt + Shift + B Option + Shift + B

Turn off all other solo switches

Alt-click solo switch

Option-click solo switch

Turn Video (eyeball) switch on or off for selected layers

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + V

Command + Option + Shift + V

Open settings dialog box for selected solid, light, camera, null, or adjustment layer

Ctrl + Shift + Y

Command + Shift + Y

Paste layers at current time

Ctrl + Alt + V

Command + Option + V

Split selected layers. (If no layers are selected, split all layers.)

Ctrl + Shift + D

Command + Shift + D

Precompose selected layers

Ctrl + Shift + C

Command + Shift + C

Open Effect Controls panel for selected layers

Ctrl + Shift + T

Command + Shift + T

Open layer in Layer panel (opens source composition for precomposition layer in Composition panel)

Double-click a layer

Double-click a layer

Open source of a layer in Footage panel (opens precomposition layer in Layer panel)

Alt-double-click a layer

Option-double-click a layer

Reverse selected layers in time

Ctrl + Alt + R

Command + Option + R

Enable time remapping for selected layers

Ctrl + Alt + T

Command + Option + T

Move selected layers so that their In point or Out point is at the current time

[ (left bracket) or ] (right bracket)

[ (left bracket) or ] (right bracket)

Trim In point or Out point of selected layers to current time

Alt + [ (left bracket) or Alt + ] (right bracket)

Option + [ (left bracket) or Option + ] (right bracket)

Add or remove expression for a property

Alt-click stopwatch

Option-click stopwatch

Add an effect (or multiple selected effects) to selected layers

Double-click effect selection in the Effects & Presets panel

Double-click effect selection in the Effects & Presets panel

Set In point or Out point by time-stretching

Ctrl + Shift + , (comma) or Ctrl + Alt + , (comma)

Command + Shift + , (comma) or Command + Option + , (comma)

Move selected layers so that their In point is at beginning of composition

Alt + Home

Option + Home

Move selected layers so that their Out point is at end of composition

Alt + End

Option + End

Lock selected layers

Ctrl + L

Command + L

Unlock all layers

Ctrl + Shift + L

Command + Shift + L

Set Quality to Best, Draft, or Wireframe for selected layers

Ctrl + U, Ctrl + Shift + U, or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + U

Command + U, Command + Shift + U, Command + Option + Shift + U

Cycle forward or backward through blending modes for selected layers

Shift + - (hyphen) or Shift + = (equal sign) on the main keyboard

Shift + - (hyphen) or Shift + = (equal sign) on the main keyboard

Find in Timeline panel

Ctrl + F

Command + F
Note:

Some shortcuts are marked with an asterisk (*) to remind you to make sure that Num Lock is on when you use the numeric keypad.

Showing properties and groups in the Timeline panel

Note:

This table contains double-letter shortcuts (for example, LL). To use these shortcuts, press the letters in quick succession.

Result

Windows

macOS

Find in Timeline panel

Ctrl + F

Command + F

Toggle expansion of selected layers to show all properties

Ctrl + ` (accent grave)

Command + ` (accent grave)

Toggle expansion of property group and all child property groups to show all properties

Ctrl-click the triangle to the left of the property group name

Command-click the triangle to the left of the property group name

Show only Anchor Point property (for lights and cameras, Point Of Interest)

A

A

Show only Audio Levels property

L

L

Show only Mask Feather property

F

F

Show only Mask Path property

M

M

Show only Mask Opacity property

TT

TT

Show only Opacity property (for lights, Intensity)

T

T

Show only Position property

P

P

Show only Rotation and Orientation properties

R

R

Show only Scale property

S

S

Show only Time Remap property

RR

RR

Show only instances of missing effects

FF

FF

Show only Effects property group

E

E

Show only mask property groups

MM

MM

Show only Material Options property group

AA

AA

Show only expressions

EE

EE
Show properties with keyframes U U

Show only modified properties

UU

UU

Show only paint strokes, Roto Brush strokes, and Puppet pins

PP

PP

Show only audio waveform

LL

LL

Show only selected properties and groups

SS

SS

Hide property or group

Alt + Shift-click property or group name

Option + Shift-click property or group name

Add or remove property or group from set that is shown

Shift + property or group shortcut

Shift + property or group shortcut

Add or remove keyframe at current time

Alt + Shift + property shortcut

Option + property shortcut

Showing properties in the Effect Controls panel

Result

Windows

macOS

Toggle expansion of selected effects to show all properties

Ctrl + ` (accent grave)

Command + ` (accent grave)

Toggle expansion of property group and all child property groups to show all properties

Ctrl-click the triangle to the left of the property group name

Command-click the triangle to the left of the property group name

Modifying layer properties

Result

Windows

macOS

Modify property value by default increments

Drag property value

Drag property value

Modify property value by 10x default increments

Shift-drag property value

Shift-drag property value

Modify property value by 1/10 default increments

Ctrl-drag property value

Command-drag property value

Open Auto-Orientation dialog box for selected layers

Ctrl + Alt + O

Command + Alt + O

Open Opacity dialog box for selected layers

Ctrl + Shift + O

Command + Shift + O

Open Rotation dialog box for selected layers

Ctrl + Shift + R

Command + Shift + R

Open Position dialog box for selected layers

Ctrl + Shift + P

Command + Shift + P

Center-selected layers in view (modifies Position property to place anchor points of selected layers in center of current view)

Ctrl + Home

Command + Home
Center anchor point in the visible content Ctrl + Alt + Home Command + Option + Home

Move selected layers 1 pixel at current magnification (Position)

Arrow key

Arrow key

Move selected layers 10 pixels at current magnification (Position)

Shift + Arrow key

Shift + Arrow key

Move selected layers 1 frame earlier or later

Alt + Page Up or Alt + Page Down

Option + Page Up or Option + Page Down

Move selected layers 10 frames earlier or later

Alt + Shift + Page Up or Alt + Shift + Page Down

Option + Shift + Page Up or Option + Shift + Page Down

Increase or decrease Rotation (Z Rotation) of selected layers by 1°

+ (plus) or - (minus) on the numeric keypad

+ (plus) or - (minus) on the numeric keypad

Increase or decrease Rotation (Z Rotation) of selected layers by 10°

Shift + + (plus) or Shift + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Shift + + (plus) or Shift + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Increase or decrease Opacity (or Intensity for light layers) of selected layers by 1%

Ctrl + Alt + + (plus) or Ctrl + Alt + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Control + Option + + (plus) or Control + Option + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Increase or decrease Opacity (or Intensity for light layers) of selected layers by 10%

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + + (plus) or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Control + Option + Shift + + (plus) or Control + Option + Shift + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Increase Scale of selected layers by 1%

Ctrl + + (plus) or Alt + + (plus) on the numeric keypad

Command + + (plus) or Option + + (plus) on the numeric keypad

Decrease Scale of selected layers by 1%

Ctrl + - (minus) or Alt + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Command + - (minus) or Option + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Increase Scale of selected layers by 10%

Ctrl + Shift + + (plus) or Alt + Shift + + (plus) on the numeric keypad

Command + Shift + + (plus) or Option + Shift + + (plus) on the numeric keypad

Decrease Scale of selected layers by 10%

Ctrl + Shift + - (minus) or Alt + Shift + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Command + Shift + - (minus) or Option + Shift + - (minus) on numeric keypad

Modify Rotation or Orientation in 45° increments

Shift-drag with the Rotation tool

Shift-drag with the Rotation tool

Modify Scale, constrained to footage frame aspect ratio

Shift-drag layer handle with the Selection tool

Shift-drag layer handle with the Selection tool

Reset Rotation to 0°

Double-click the Rotation tool

Double-click the Rotation tool

Reset Scale to 100%

Double-click the Selection tool

Double-click the Selection tool

Scale and reposition selected layers to fit composition

Ctrl + Alt + F

Command + Option + F

Scale and reposition selected layers to fit composition width, preserving image aspect ratio for each layer

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H

Command + Option + Shift + H

Scale and reposition selected layers to fit composition height, preserving image aspect ratio for each layer

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + G

Command + Option + Shift + G

3D layers

Note:

(macOS) Shortcuts involving function keys F9-F12 may conflict with shortcuts used by the operating system. See macOS Help for instructions to reassign Dashboard & Expose shortcuts.

Result

Windows

macOS

Switch to 3D view 1 (defaults to Front)

F10

F10

Switch to 3D view 2 (defaults to Custom View 1)

F11

F11

Switch to 3D view 3 (defaults to Active Camera)

F12

b

Return to previous view

Esc

Esc

New light

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + L

Command + Option + Shift + L
Switch to Orbit camera control 1 1
Switch to Pan camera control 2 2
Switch to Dolly camera control 3 3

New camera

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + C

Command + Option + Shift + C
Switch to Universal gizmo V V
Switch to Position gizmo 4 4
Switch to Scale gizmo 5 5
Switch to Rotation gizmo 6 6

Move the camera and its point of interest to look at selected 3D layers

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + \

Command + Option + Shift + \

With a camera tool selected, move the camera and its point of interest to look at selected 3D layers

F

F

With a camera tool selected, move the camera and its point of interest to look at all 3D layers

Ctrl + Shift + F

Command + Shift + F

Turn Casts Shadows property on or off for selected 3D layers

Alt + Shift + C

Option + Shift + C

Keyframes and the Graph Editor

Note:

(Mac OS) Shortcuts involving function keys F9-F12 may conflict with shortcuts used by the operating system. See macOS Help for instructions to reassign Dashboard & Expose shortcuts.

Result

Windows

macOS

Toggle between Graph Editor and layer bar modes

Shift + F3

Shift + F3

Select all keyframes for a property

Select property name

Select property name

Select all visible keyframes and properties

Ctrl + Alt + A

Command + Option + A

Deselect all keyframes, properties, and property groups

Shift + F2 or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + A

Shift + F2 or Command + Option + Shift + A

Move keyframe 1 frame later or earlier

Alt + Right Arrow or Alt + Left Arrow

Option + Right Arrow or Option + Left Arrow

Move keyframe 10 frames later or earlier

Alt + Shift + Right Arrow or Alt + Shift + Left Arrow

Option + Shift + Right Arrow or Option + Shift + Left Arrow

Set interpolation for selected keyframes (layer bar mode)

Ctrl + Alt + K

Command + Option + K

Set keyframe interpolation method to hold or Auto Bezier

Ctrl + Alt + H

Command + Option + H

Set keyframe interpolation method to linear or Auto Bezier

Ctrl-click in layer bar mode

Command-click in layer bar mode

Set keyframe interpolation method to linear or hold

Ctrl + Alt-click in layer bar mode

Command + Option-click in layer bar mode

Easy ease selected keyframes

F9

F9

Easy ease selected keyframes in

Shift + F9

Shift + F9

Easy ease selected keyframes out

Ctrl + Shift + F9

Command + Shift + F9

Set velocity for selected keyframes

Ctrl + Shift + K

Command + Shift + K

Add or remove keyframe at current time. For property shortcuts, see Showing properties and groups in the Timeline panel (keyboard shortcuts).

Alt + Shift + property shortcut

Option + property shortcut

Reverse paste the copied keyframes in the timeline

Ctrl + Shift + V

Command + Shift + V

Text

Result

Windows

macOS

New text layer

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + T

Command + Option + Shift + T

Align selected horizontal text left, center, or right

Ctrl + Shift + L, Ctrl + Shift + C, or Ctrl + Shift + R

Command + Shift + L, Command + Shift + C, or Command + Shift + R

Align selected vertical text top, center, or bottom

Ctrl + Shift + L, Ctrl + Shift + C, or Ctrl + Shift + R

Command + Shift + L, Command + Shift + C, or Command + Shift + R

Extend or reduce selection by one character to right or left in horizontal text

Shift + Right Arrow or Shift + Left Arrow

Shift + Right Arrow or Shift + Left Arrow

Extend or reduce selection by one word to right or left in horizontal text

Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow or Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow

Command + Shift + Right Arrow or Command + Shift + Left Arrow

Extend or reduce selection by one line up or down in horizontal text

Shift + Up Arrow or Shift + Down Arrow

Shift + Up Arrow or Shift + Down Arrow

Extend or reduce selection by one line to right or left in vertical text

Shift + Right Arrow or Shift + Left Arrow

Shift + Right Arrow or Shift + Left Arrow

Extend or reduce selection one word up or down in vertical text

Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow or Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow

Command + Shift + Up Arrow or Command + Shift + Down Arrow

Extend or reduce selection by one character up or down in vertical text

Shift + Up Arrow or Shift + Down Arrow

Shift + Up Arrow or Shift + Down Arrow

Select text from insertion point to beginning or end of line

Shift + Home or Shift + End

Shift + Home or Shift + End

Move insertion point to beginning or end of line

Home or End

Home or End

Select all text on a layer

Double-click text layer

Double-click text layer

Select text from insertion point to beginning or end of text frame

Ctrl + Shift + Home or Ctrl + Shift + End

Command + Shift + Home or Command + Shift + End

To mouse-click point, select text from insertion point

Shift-click

Shift-click

In horizontal text, move insertion point one character left or right; one line up or down; one word left or right; or one paragraph up or down

Left Arrow or Right Arrow; Up Arrow or Down Arrow; Ctrl + Left Arrow or Ctrl + Right Arrow; or Ctrl + Up Arrow or Ctrl + Down Arrow

Left Arrow or Right Arrow; Up Arrow or Down Arrow; Command + Left Arrow or Command + Right Arrow; or Command + Up Arrow or Command + Down Arrow

In vertical text, move insertion point one character up or down; one left or right; one word up or down; or one paragraph left or right

Up Arrow or Down Arrow; Left Arrow or Right Arrow; Ctrl + Up Arrow or Ctrl + Down Arrow; or Ctrl + Left Arrow or Ctrl + Right Arrow

Up Arrow or Down Arrow; Left Arrow or Right Arrow; Command + Up Arrow or Command + Down Arrow; or Command + Left Arrow or Command + Right Arrow

Select word, line, paragraph, or entire text frame

Double-click, triple-click, quadruple-click, or quintuple-click with the Type tool

Double-click, triple-click, quadruple-click, or quintuple-click with the Type tool

Turn All Caps on or off for selected text

Ctrl + Shift + K

Command + Shift + K

Turn Small Caps on or off for selected text

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + K

Command + Option + Shift + K

Turn Superscript on or off for selected text

Ctrl + Shift + = (equal sign)

Command + Shift + = (equal sign)

Turn Subscript on or off for selected text

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + = (equal sign)

Command + Option + Shift + = (equal sign)

Set horizontal scale to 100% for selected text

Ctrl + Shift + X

Command + Shift + X

Set vertical scale to 100% for selected text

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + X

Command + Option + Shift + X

Auto leading for selected text

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + A

Command + Option + Shift + A

Reset tracking to 0 for selected text

Ctrl + Shift + Q

Command + Shift + Control + Q

Justify paragraph; left align last line

Ctrl + Shift + J

Command + Shift + J

Justify paragraph; right align last line

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + J

Command + Option + Shift + J

Justify paragraph; force last line

Ctrl + Shift + F

Command + Shift + F

Decrease or increase font size of selected text by 2 units

Ctrl + Shift + , (comma) or Ctrl + Shift + . (period)

Command + Shift + , (comma) or Command + Shift + . (period)

Decrease or increase font size of selected text by 10 units

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + , (comma) or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + . (period)

Command + Option + Shift + , (comma) or Command + Option + Shift + . (period)

Increase or decrease leading by 2 units

Alt + Down Arrow or Alt + Up Arrow

Option + Down Arrow or Option + Up Arrow

Increase or decrease leading by 10 units

Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow or Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow

Command + Option + Down Arrow or Command + Option + Up Arrow

Decrease or increase baseline shift by 2 units

Alt + Shift + Down Arrow or Alt + Shift + Up Arrow

Option + Shift + Down Arrow or Option + Shift + Up Arrow

Decrease or increase baseline shift by 10 units

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Down Arrow or Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Up Arrow

Command + Option + Shift + Down Arrow or Command + Option + Shift + Up Arrow

Decrease or increase kerning or tracking 20 units (20/1000 ems)

Alt + Left Arrow or Alt + Right Arrow

Option + Left Arrow or Option + Right Arrow

Decrease or increase kerning or tracking 100 units (100/1000 ems)

Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow or Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow

Command + Option + Left Arrow or Command + Option + Right Arrow

Toggle paragraph composer

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + T

Command + Option + Shift + T

Masks

Result

Windows

macOS

New mask

Ctrl + Shift + N

Command + Shift + N

Select all points in a mask

Alt-click mask

Option-click mask

Select the next or previous mask

Alt + ` (accent grave) or Alt + Shift + ` (accent grave)

Option + ` (accent grave) or Option + Shift + ` (accent grave)

Enter free-transform mask editing mode

Double-click the mask with the Selection tool or select the mask in the Timeline panel and press Ctrl + T

Double-click the mask with the Selection tool or select the mask in the Timeline panel and press Command + T

Exit free-transform mask editing mode

Esc

Esc

Scale around the center point in Free Transform mode

Ctrl-drag

Command-drag

Move selected path points 1 pixel at the current magnification

Arrow key

Arrow key

Move selected path points 10 pixels at the current magnification

Shift + Arrow key

Shift + Arrow key

Toggle between smooth and corner points

Ctrl + Alt-click vertex

Command + Option-click vertex

Redraw Bezier handles

Ctrl + Alt-drag vertex

Command + Option-drag vertex

Invert selected mask

Ctrl + Shift + I

Command + Shift + I

Open the Mask Feather dialog box for selected mask

Ctrl + Shift + F

Command + Shift + F

Open the Mask Shape dialog box for selected mask

Ctrl + Shift + M

Command + Shift + M
Subtract mode S S
Darken mode D D
Difference mode F F
Add mode A S
Intersect mode I I
None N N

Paint tools

Result

Windows

macOS

Swap paint background color and foreground colors

X

X

Set paint foreground color to black and background color to white

D

D

Set foreground color to the color currently under any paint tool pointer

Alt-click

Option-click

Set foreground color to the average color of a 4-pixel x 4-pixel area under any paint tool pointer

Ctrl + Alt-click

Command + Option-click

Set brush size for a paint tool

Ctrl-drag

Command-drag

Set brush hardness for a paint tool

Ctrl-drag, then release Ctrl while dragging

Command-drag, then release Command while dragging

Join current paint stroke to the previous stroke

Hold Shift while beginning the stroke

Hold Shift while beginning the stroke

Set starting sample point to point currently under Clone Stamp tool pointer

Alt-click

Option-click

Momentarily activate Eraser tool with Last Stroke Only option

Ctrl + Shift

Command + Shift

Show and move overlay (change Offset value of aligned Clone Stamp tool or change Source Position value of unaligned Clone Stamp tool)

Alt + Shift-drag with the Clone Stamp tool

Option + Shift-drag with the Clone Stamp tool

Activate a specific Clone Stamp tool preset

3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 on the main keyboard

3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 on the main keyboard

Duplicate a Clone Stamp tool preset in Paint panel

Alt-click the button for the preset

Option-click the button for the preset

Set opacity for a paint tool

Digit on numeric keypad (for example, 9=90%, 1=10%)*

Digit on numeric keypad (for example, 9=90%, 1=10%)*

Set opacity for a paint tool to 100%

. (decimal) on numeric keypad*

. (decimal) on numeric keypad*

Set flow for a paint tool

Shift + a digit on the numeric keypad (for example, 9=90%, 1=10%)*

Shift + a digit on the numeric keypad (for example, 9=90%, 1=10%)*

Set flow for a paint tool to 100%

Shift + . (decimal) on numeric keypad*

Shift + . (decimal) on numeric keypad*

Move earlier or later by number of frames specified for stroke Duration

Ctrl + Page Up or Ctrl + Page Down (or 1 or 2 on the main keyboard)

Command + Page Up or Command + Page Down (or 1 or 2 on the main keyboard)
Note:

Some shortcuts are marked with an asterisk (*) to remind you to make sure that Num Lock is on when you use the numeric keypad.

Shape layers

Result

Windows

macOS

Group selected shapes

Ctrl + G

Command + G

Ungroup selected shapes

Ctrl + Shift + G

Command + Shift + G

Enter free-transform path editing mode

Select the Path property in the Timeline panel and press Ctrl + T

Select the Path property in the Timeline panel and press Command + T

Increase star inner roundness

Page Up when dragging to create a shape

Page Up when dragging to create a shape

Decrease star inner roundness

Page Down when dragging to create a shape

Page Down when dragging to create a shape

Increase number of points for star or polygon; increase roundness for rounded rectangle

Up Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Up Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Decrease number of points for star or polygon; decrease roundness for rounded rectangle

Down Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Down Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Reposition shape during creation

Hold the Spacebar when dragging to create a shape

Hold the Spacebar when dragging to create a shape

Set rounded rectangle roundness to 0 (sharp corners); decrease polygon and star outer roundness

Left Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Left Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Set rounded rectangle roundness to maximum; increase polygon and star outer roundness

Right Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Right Arrow when dragging to create a shape

Constrain rectangles to squares; constrain ellipses to circles; constrain polygons and stars to zero rotation

Shift when dragging to create a shape

Shift when dragging to create a shape

Change outer radius of star

Ctrl when dragging to create a shape

Command when dragging to create a shape

Markers

Result

Windows

macOS

Set marker at current time (works during preview and audio-only preview)

* (multiply) on numeric keypad

* (multiply) on the numeric keypad or Control + 8 on the main keyboard

Set marker at current time and open marker dialog box

Alt + * (multiply) on the numeric keypad

Option + * (multiply) on the numeric keypad or Control + Option + 8 on the main keyboard

Set and number a composition marker (0-9) at the current time

Shift + 0-9 on the main keyboard

Shift + 0-9 on the main keyboard

Go to a composition marker (0-9)

0-9 on main keyboard

0-9 on main keyboard

Display the duration between two layer markers or keyframes in the Info panel

Alt-click the markers or keyframes

Option-click the markers or keyframes

Remove marker

Ctrl-click marker

Command-click marker

Motion tracking

Result

Windows

macOS

Move feature region, search region, and attach point 1 pixel at current magnification

Arrow key

Arrow key

Move feature region, search region, and attach point 10 pixels at current magnification

Shift + Arrow key

Shift + Arrow key

Move feature region and search region 1 pixel at current magnification

Alt + Arrow key

Option + Arrow key

Move feature region and search region 10 pixels at current magnification

Alt + Shift + Arrow key

Option + Shift + Arrow key

Saving, exporting, and rendering

Result

Windows

macOS

Save project

Ctrl + S

Command + S

Increment and save project

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S

Command + Option + Shift + S

Save As

Ctrl + Shift + S

Command + Shift + S

Add active composition or selected items to render queue

Ctrl + Shift + / (on main keyboard)

Command + Shift + / (on main keyboard)

Add current frame to render queue

Ctrl + Alt + S

Command + Option + S

Duplicate render item with same output filename as original

Ctrl + Shift + D

Command + Shift + D

Add a composition to the Adobe Media Encoder encoding queue

Ctrl + Alt + M

Command + Option + M
Note:

On macOS, some keyboard commands used to interact with the operating system conflict with keyboard commands for interacting with After Effects. Select Use System Shortcut Keys in the General preferences to override the After Effects keyboard command sometimes in which there’s a conflict with the macOS keyboard command.

Keyboard shortcuts PDF

Click the link below to download a PDF of about 50 of the more commonly used and pouplar keyboard shortcuts.

Download

Get file
AE_KeyboardShortcuts.pdf

 Adobe

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