Type a number on the KEYPAD to be taken to that LAYER with the same number

Type a number on the TOP ROW to be taken to a LAYER MARKER with the same
number

V selects the MOVE tool

C selects the UNIFIED CAMERA tool
H selects the HAND tool
Z selects the ZOOM tool
W selects the ROTATE tool
Y selects the PAN BEHIND tool
O selects the SHAPE tool
G selects the PEN tool
CTRL + B cycles through the BRUSH, CLONE and ERASER tool
CTRL + P selects the PUPPET PIN tool
While in the TIMELINE, if you press B it will move the IN POINT to the CTI (Current
Time Indicator)
While in the TIMELINE, if you press N it will move the OUT POINT to the CTI
PAGE UP moves the CTI back 1 frame
PAGE DOWN moves the CTI forward 1 frame
SHIFT + PAGE UP/DOWN moves the CTI by larger increments
CTRL + Y creates a new SOLID
CTRL + ALT + Y creates a new ADJUSTMENT LAYER
CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + Y creates a new NULL OBJECT
With one tool selected you can HOLD DOWN the key for another tool, and while you
hold it, that tool will be active, changing back to the original once you release the key
With a LAYER SELECTED, press CTRL + [ to move the layer down 1 in the stack or
CTRL + ] to move it up 1
CTRL + N creates a NEW COMPOSITION
CTRL + K brings up the CURRENT COMPOSITION'S SETTINGS
You can ALT CLICK on the "8bpc" in the PROJECT WINDOW to cycle it through 8, 16
and 32 bpc.
CTRL + D DUPLICATES the current layer
SPACEBAR toggles PLAYBACK of the movie
NUMPAD 0 performs a RAM PREVIEW
NUMPAD DELETE plays back just the audio
The MIDDLE MOUSE BUTTON can be used to temporarily change the current tool to
the HAND TOOL
While EDITING TEXT, you can press the MIDDLE MOUSE BUTTON to accept
changes
CTRL + T selects the TEXT TOOL
ALT + CLICK the SOLO BUTTON for a layer to turn off other layers marked SOLO
NUMPAD * adds a MARKER at the CTI
SHIFT + -/= will CYCLE through the current layer's MODES
F3 toggles the EFFECTS CONTROL PANEL
F9 selects a KEYFRAME to use EASY EASE
SHIFT + F9 selects a KEYFRAME to use EASY EASE IN
SHIFT + CTRL + F9 selects a KEYFRAME to use EASY EASE OUT
With a LAYER SELECTED, you can press:
U to show all MODIFIED PROPERTIES
U (twice) to expand all MODIFIED PROPERTIES
T to view the OPACITY
R to view the ROTATION
A to view the ANCHOR POINT
P to view the POSITION
S to view the SCALE
F to view the FEATHER (if applicable)
M to view the MASK (if applicable)
SHIFT + (above key) to show that property with previously showed ones
Use you SCROLL WHEEL to ZOOM IN / OUT
ALT + CLICK a STOPWATCH icon to specify an EXPRESSION
A property displayed in PINK is controlled by an EXPRESSION
You can CTRL + CLICK the TIMECODE to cycle through TIMECODE, SECONDS and
FRAMES
F10 changes to the FRONT CAMERA
F11 changes to the CUSTOM CAMERA 1
F12 changes to the ACTIVE CAMERA
With ANY PANEL focused, you can press the TILDE KEY to toggle that panel in FULL
SCREEN
CTRL + M to send comp to RENDER QUE for making a movie
M twice to show all MASK properties

alt + [ cuts start of footage to the current position of the timeline.

alt + ] cuts end of footage to the current position of the timeline.

I'm not sure why this topic was created since keyboard shortcuts
are available for CS3 and CS4 here
http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEf ... -7b45.html

And
Here's a link to an After Effects script that creates a dockable palette that shows the entire
list of shortcut keys that are available for After Effects.

Dropdown list version:

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/i ... id=1695057

Listbox scrolling version:

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/i ... id=1695056

I may be confused about this topic

How to use Google
http://www.google.com/tour/services/query.html
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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by Aegis Kleais on 12/6/2008, 2:14 pm

It was shortcuts and TIPS. It may be common knowledge that CTRL + N creates a new
Comp, but a TIP would be that ALT + CLICKING on the 8bpc icon in the Project
Window cycles the project through 8, 16 and 32.

Kind of a combo thread. I'm gonna try to create a nice PDF for download from the info I
get here.
▓▓ WEB DEVELOPER ♦ DIGITAL ARTIST ♦ MOTION GRAPHICS
▓▓ Q6600 2.4GHz ♦ 4GB ♦ 9800GX2 ♦ WinXP Pro
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(Takes me 50+ seconds from cold boot to load AFX, and you?)
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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by VFX-Anomaly on 12/6/2008, 2:41 pm

Sounds great Aegis Kleais,

and now I'm not confused
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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by Aegis Kleais on 12/6/2008, 4:50 pm

No problem. I think I know programs like Photoshop better by keyboard shortcut and
neat little tips than I do by book. I hope that many contribute and that I can have a great
resource for everyone in the end.
▓▓ WEB DEVELOPER ♦ DIGITAL ARTIST ♦ MOTION GRAPHICS
▓▓ Q6600 2.4GHz ♦ 4GB ♦ 9800GX2 ♦ WinXP Pro
▓▓ CS3: PS/AI/DW/FL ♦ CS4: AFX (9.0.1) ♦ VCP Pro Bundle ♦ Trapcode 3S Pack & Particular
(Takes me 50+ seconds from cold boot to load AFX, and you?)
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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by Vis_Lib on 12/6/2008, 6:17 pm
 I guess these would count as a tips. The easiest way to import a file is just to drag and
drop it on the project panel. Works nicely with multiple displays. If you work full screen
with a single display just double click empty space in the project panel to avoid going
through the menu on the screen.

If you need to change setting in the import dialog box (such as clicking the image
sequence box on or off) click on the empty space in the file list between columns. Then
you can hover to highlight and change the setting and click open or click the empty
space, change the box and double click a file.
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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by JMRicks on 12/7/2008, 1:28 am

http://mograph.net/board/index.php?showtopic=5335
stubbysquirrel.com
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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by TheDarkKinigit on 02/5/2009, 3:26 pm

OK, I need a tip. I did something really stupid and got lost in my Composition window
using my Hand Tool.

How in the world do I recenter?

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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by TheDarkKinigit on 02/5/2009, 3:27 pm
ahhh, crap, never mind, found it--

Double-click the hand tool....

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Re: Making the Ultimate AFX Cheat Sheet
by SteveBlacker on 02/5/2009, 4:04 pm

Just a few I use a lot:

Replace footage on a layer by having the layer selected, then Alt + drag the replacement
footage from the project panel onto the selected layer.

When drawing a mask or shape, hold shift to constrain to even proportions. Hold
shift+ctrl to draw out from the centre. To move the shape/mask while you're resizing,
hold the space bar down as well.

With a layer selected you can cycle through blending modes using Shift + - and Shift + =

When you're working with text, you can cycle through fonts by clicking on the font name
to highlight it, then use the arrow keys to cycle through. (Simple, but I still come across
people who don't know that)

To adjust the kerning (spacing between letters) in your text, put the cursor between the
letters and hold down Alt while using the arrow keys to move left or right.

hit CAPS LOCK before rendering to stop the comp previewing, therefor saving
RAM/resources
AKA Noddy

1. Hit the ' key to bring up the Title/Action Safe thingies.

2. With the text HIGHLIGHTED, click on the font name to scroll through available fonts
on the composition window.