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Chapter 7: Previewing
Previewing compositions
Methods for previewing compositions
Adobe After Effects provides several methods for previewing compositions, including standard preview, RAM
preview, and manual preview. All three methods are accessible through the Time Controls panel.
The duration of a composition, a layer, or a footage item is represented visually by the time ruler. On the time ruler,
the current-time indicator indicates the frame you are viewing or editing, and the frame appears in the corresponding
panel.
In a Layer or Footage panel, the time ruler appears near the bottom of the panel. For a Composition panel, the time
ruler appears in the corresponding Timeline panel. Keep in mind that the time rulers in different panels represent
different durations. The time ruler in Layer and Footage panels represents the duration of the contents of that panel,
in contrast to the time ruler in the Timeline panel, which represents the duration of the entire composition.
Current-time indicator in the Timeline panel (left) and in the Layer panel (right)
Similar to the absolute time navigator in the Timeline panel, the Layer and Footage panels include time-view
brackets that you can use to magnify or shrink the part of the time ruler displayed.
Note: To display the Time Controls panel, choose Window > Time Controls.
For additional information, go to Adobe Studio on the Adobe website.
Adobe periodically provides updates to software and Help. To check for updates, click the Preferences button
Adobe Help Center, and then click Check For Updates. Follow the on-screen instructions.
To preview a composition using standard preview
Standard preview (commonly called spacebar play) plays your composition from the current-time indicator to the
end of the composition. Standard previews usually play more slowly than real time; they play at a speed as close to
real time as possible using the current settings of the layer switches, composition switches, Fast Preview options, and
composition resolution. Standard preview is useful when your composition is simple or in its early stages and doesn't
require additional memory for displaying complex animations, effects, 3D layers, cameras, and lights.
In the Timeline panel, make sure that the video switch is selected for the layers you want to preview.
1
Do one of the following:
2
•
Click the Play button
•
Press the spacebar to start; press the spacebar again to stop.
in Time Controls.
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