

The Hand tool allows you to pan around in the Composition, Layer, or Footage panel. I regularly use this tool to move a different part of the composition into view, especially when I’m zoomed in. It’s one of those tools that you have to try before you realize how immensely useful it is. Highlight the keyframes, then press the option key and drag with the mouse. Once start using keyframes, this shortcut will be an absolute game-changer. You’ll no longer have to drag each keyframe individually when you want to slow down an animation. Instead, you’ll simply highlight the desired keyframes, and then press and hold the Option key while dragging the keyframes with the mouse. This image displays all the shortcuts we just looked at. Save it or print it out to keep it close. Once you’ve got the shortcuts memorized, you won’t just feel more comfortable in After Effects, you’ll be way more efficient as well.Ĭongrats on beginning the After Effects journey.
Final cut pro key commands how to#
Part 2: How to Customize Keyboard Shortcuts.

We’ve split this guide into different sections to help you navigate the range of keys you can use. While you might use some of these already, there is a wealth of shortcuts to master.

Fileįirstly, let’s take a look at the shortcuts associated with the File Menu, where you can create new timelines, import and export media, and save your projects. The Timeline shortcuts are super helpful in navigating your timeline and playback options. Marking your timeline is an efficient way of adding reference points to a clip without needing a keyframe or a cut. Use markers for anything that you want to remind yourself of later, but don’t overuse them, or your timeline will become cluttered and confusing. Playback Shortcuts help you watch your edit through in a variety of different ways. Learning these shortcuts will help you quickly watch through, reverse, and loop your clips for review. Hit Command-Equal Sign (=) to zoom in and Command-Hyphen (-) to zoom out to your regular timeline size.With these hotkeys, you can quickly jump between editing tools, which can save a ton of time and mouse action. Obviously, this won’t zoom in on the image but rather expand the timeline. If you need to make an incredibly timely cut and are moving frame to frame, zooming in on the timeline is an absolute necessity. With these shortcuts you never have to avert your eyes from the timeline. Some of the most basic functions like the Blade tool, the Arrow tool, or Zoom tool have one-key shortcuts that will spare you the frustration and tedium of moving the mouse over, picking the right tool, and moving back to your congested timeline. If you need a longer or shorter clip, you’ll still be able to alter the length of the clip however long you wish, and it won’t affect the rest of your edit. Hit Option-W to add a three-second clip of black video to the current playhead position. In the same vein as the placeholder title, if you’re still waiting on footage or if you still need to shoot a few scenes, adding a placeholder clip is a must.

If you don’t know the titles or graphics yet that you’re going to use, this will help when you return for the second edit. By hitting Control-T, a “Basic Title” placeholder clip will appear in place of the selected clip. To increase the volumes by a specific number, use the keyboard shortcut Control-L.Īnother helpful shortcut is for adding placeholder titles to clips while you move on to the next scene. This action will let you move the levels to a specific number instead of increasing the volume by said number. This will save you from going through each clip individually to tweak the decibel value. Hitting Control-Option-L allows you to increase or decrease the dB value. Here are a few easy-to-remember Final Cut Pro X keyboard shortcuts just waiting to make your life easier. If you edit video for a living, you know how much time keyboard shortcuts can save. One of the advantages of working in a platform like Final Cut Pro X or Adobe Premiere Pro is keyboard shortcuts.
