Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 5.5 Help Manual page 93

Adobe After Effects Help
Using Help | Contents
To preview audio and rendered images:
1 If the Time Controls palette is not open, choose Window > Time Controls. Click the
double arrow ( ) on the Time Controls tab, as needed, until you see the RAM Preview
Options, and then do one of the following:
If the From Current Time option is selected, then move the current-time marker (in
•
either the Composition or Timeline window) to the time at which you want the preview
to begin.
If From Current Time is not selected, set the work area for the area you want to preview.
•
For more information, see "Setting up a work area" on page 70.
2 On the Time Controls palette, select the Audio button ( ).
3 If needed, click the Loop button repeatedly to select the preview direction you want:
looping from start to finish ( ), single play (forward) ( ), or cycling forward and backward
( ).
4 Click the RAM Preview button ( ) or press 0 (zero) on the numeric keypad.
Dragging to preview composition audio
You can preview audio by dragging the time marker. in a composition. Use this technique
to easily identify and mark a location to synchronize audio and visual effects. Instead of
using the audio waveform, you can identify a location in the layer by moving the current-
time marker in the Timeline window and listening to audio playback.
To preview composition audio:
In the Timeline window, press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) while you move the
current-time marker.
As you drag across time, After Effects plays segments of the audio. You can play the audio
forward or backward. If you stop moving the current-time marker while keeping the
mouse button depressed, a short section of audio will loop.
Changing volume levels of an audio layer
When you use footage containing audio, the audio level in the footage plays at 0 db,
meaning that the level is unadjusted in After Effects. Setting a positive decibel level
increases volume, and setting a negative decibel level decreases volume.
The VU meter in the Audio palette displays the volume range for the audio as it plays. The
red blocks at the top of the meter represent the limit of what your system can handle.
When the audio volume extends past the top of the meter, After Effects makes the speaker
icons red as a warning that audio is clipping. If you don't lower the level, the audio
playback may be distorted when rendered. Reset the warning signal to black by clicking
the red speaker icon.
Adjust the audio level and set level keyframes by dragging the level sliders as you preview
an audio layer.
To set the volume level of an audio layer in the Audio palette:
1 Select the layer in the Composition window or Timeline window.
2 If the Audio palette is not visible, choose Window > Show Audio. For greater precision
in setting levels, drag the resize icon in the lower right corner of the Audio palette to
increase its size.
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