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Animate layers using the Essential Graphics panel

Last updated on Dec 14, 2023

You can animate text layers, shape layers, and paths using keyframes. One of the easiest ways to animate layers is by adding animation keyframes directly from within the Essential Graphics panel.

Before you begin

Create a project, and create text and shape layers. Enable the Essential Graphics panel by selecting Windows > Essential Graphics.

  1. Select the layer you want to animate in the Essential Graphics panel.
  2. Select the icons next to the property you want to animate (Position, Anchor Point, Scale, Rotation, or Opacity).

This action toggles on animation for the property. The icon for the selected property turns blue to indicate that animation is active.

Options in the Essential Graphics panel
Use the icons next to the property to animate the layer in the Essential Graphics panel.

Note:

Selecting the icon in Essential Graphics panel is the same as using the Stopwatch in Effect Controls panel. If you toggle on animation in one location, it appears active in the other view too.

  1. Move your playhead and adjust this property in the Essential Graphics panel or directly in the Program Monitor to record the keyframes.

With animation toggled on in the Essential Graphics panel, a new keyframe is added to the timeline each time you change the animated property. You can see the keyframes in the Effect Controls panel as well.

  1. Refine your animation using the Effect Controls panel or by adjusting the keyframes in your timeline using the Show Clip Keyframes option.

Result

The animation keyframes added for different properties using the Essential Graphics panel animate the selected layer.

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