Trim Clips & Sequence Layers in After Effects

Introduction

Hi folks, it's Mike Murphy with today's tips for working in After Effects. Here are a couple of handy tricks to help you trim clips and sequence layers more efficiently in your projects.

To trim all clips to the current time indicator or playhead, simply select all the clips and use the following shortcuts:

• To delete everything to the left of the playhead while keeping everything to the right, press the Option or Alt key and tap the left bracket key.
• To delete everything to the right of the playhead while keeping all clips on the left, press the Option or Alt key and tap the right bracket key.

If you want to sequence or offset layers in time, such as for creating a slideshow, follow these steps:

1. Select the layers in the order you want them sequenced on the timeline.
2. Right-click and choose Keyframe Assistant > Sequence Layers.
3. Click OK to apply the sequence.

Easily change the order by rearranging the layers on the timeline and repeating the sequence step.

My name is Mike Murphy, and I hope these tips help streamline your After Effects workflow. Cheers!

Keywords: After Effects, trim clips, sequence layers, shortcuts, keyframe assistant, slideshow, workflow

FAQ:

1. Can I trim all clips in After Effects to the current time indicator without manually adjusting each one?

   • Yes, by selecting all the clips and using the provided shortcuts, you can efficiently trim clips based on the playhead position.

2. Is there a quick way to sequence layers in After Effects for tasks like creating a slideshow?

   • Absolutely! By selecting the layers in the desired order and using the Keyframe Assistant feature, you can easily sequence or offset layers in time without manual adjustments.