Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 5.5 Help Manual page 73

Adobe After Effects Help
Using Help | Contents
Creating a new solid layer
You can create solid images of any color or size (up to 32,000 x 32,000 pixels) using After
Effects. After Effects treats solids as it does any other footage item: You can modify the
mask, transform properties, and apply effects to the solid. Use solids to color a background
or create simple graphic images.
To create a solid-color layer:
1 With the Composition or Timeline window active, choose Layer > New > Solid.
2 In the Solid Settings dialog box under Size, type a name and dimensions for the solid.
3 Under Color, set the color of the layer in one of two ways:
Use the color picker: Click the color swatch, select the color you want, and click OK.
•
Use any color visible in the After Effects interface: Click the Eyedropper ( ), and then
•
click the color you want.
Note: In Mac OS, you can click the eyedropper in any area of your screen.
In the Timeline window, you can then drag the new solid layer to any position above or
below, as needed.
Creating a light or camera layer
Light and camera layers create interesting effects for the 3D layers in a composition. To
learn more about lights and cameras, see "Using cameras" on page 235 and "Using lights"
on page 239.
To create a light or camera layer:
1 With the Composition or Timeline window active, choose Layer > New > Camera, or
Layer > New > Light.
2 In the Camera or Light Settings dialog box, select the settings you want.
Creating an adjustment layer
When you apply an effect to an ordinary layer, the effect affects only that layer and no
others. However, an effect can exist independently if you create an adjustment layer for it.
Any effects applied to an adjustment layer affect all layers below it in the composition
stacking order. An adjustment layer at the bottom of the stacking order has no visible
effect.
Because adjustment layer effects apply to all layers beneath them, they are useful for
applying effects to many layers at once. In all other aspects, an adjustment layer behaves
exactly like other layers; for example, you can use keyframes with any adjustment layer
property, and rename the layer. You can also create masks on adjustment layers.
To create a new adjustment layer:
1 Display the Composition or Timeline window to which you want to add an adjustment
layer.
2 Choose Layer > New > Adjustment Layer. A new adjustment layer appears at the top of
the Timeline window.
3 Apply one or more effects to the adjustment layer.
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Managing Layers
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