Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 5.5 Help Manual page 112

Adobe After Effects Help
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You can also use the pan behind tool to move a layer's anchor point without moving the
layer's relative position in the Composition window. When you select a layer in either the
Composition or Timeline window and then select the pan behind tool, that layer's anchor
point becomes active and adjustable. Again the pan behind tool saves you steps, because
moving the layer's anchor point with the selection tool would shift its resulting position in
the Composition window; using the pan behind tool changes the layer's position in order
to compensate for your anchor point adjustment. As a result, you can move the anchor
point without disturbing the Composition window.
When you use the Pan Behind tool to move the anchor point in the Composition window (left), After
Effects automatically compensates for the move so that the layer maintains its position relative to
the Composition window (right).
Note: Because a layer's Anchor Point and Position properties change when you drag the
anchor point using the pan behind tool, using the pan behind tool to change the anchor
point of a moving layer alters the motion path. If your layer contains a motion path, move
the anchor point in the Layer window, and then select the motion path and adjust it
accordingly.
To move the anchor point by dragging in the Layer window:
1 In the Composition or Timeline window, double-click the layer you want to modify or
select the layer and choose Layer > Open Layer Window.
2 Choose Anchor Point Path from the Layer window menu at the top right of the Layer
window. The anchor point appears as a circle with an X through it.
3 Drag the anchor point to a new location.
To move a layer anchor point by nudging it 1 pixel at the current magnification:
1 In the Timeline window, double-click the layer.
2 In the Layer window, select Anchor Point Path from the Layer window menu.
3 Press the Left, Right, Up, or Down arrow key.
To move a layer anchor point by nudging it 10 pixels at the current magnification:
1 In the Timeline window, double-click the layer.
2 In the Layer window, select Anchor Point Path from the Layer window menu.
3 Hold down Shift as you press the Left, Right, Up, or Down arrow key.
To move a layer's anchor point using the pan behind tool:
1 Select a layer in either the Composition or Timeline window.
2 Select the pan behind tool.
3 In the Composition window, use the pan behind tool to drag the anchor point to a new
location. Notice that the Position and Anchor point values change for that layer.
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