Transforming layers

Each layer has transform properties. Twirl the layer open in the Timeline to reach them, or work in the Viewer with the tools and the selected layer’s gizmo.

A layer's transform properties in the Timeline.

The properties

Property	What it does
Anchor point	The point the layer scales and rotates around.
Position	Where the anchor point sits within the composition.
Scale	Size, as a percentage.
Rotation	Angle, in degrees.
Orientation	A 3D layer’s turn, as in After Effects: three angles outside X, Y and Z Rotation, moving between keys by the shortest turn.
Opacity	How opaque a layer is, as a percentage.

On a 3D layer Anchor point and Scale have a z too. Scale z stretches what is parented to the layer along its depth, and how far Anchor point z pushes the layer itself.

Right-click a 3D layer’s rotation rows for After Effects rotation order: X, Y and Z Rotation turn in After Effects’ order, as an imported layer’s do. Changing it keeps the layer where it is.

Every property can be animated. See Keyframes.

Separate axes

Anchor point, position and scale are each one row with a value box per axis. Right-click the row’s name for Separate axes, and each axis gets a row of its own with its own keyframes. Combine axes on the same menu puts them back, with Scale linked.

Scale’s menu also carries Link axes and Unlink axes: linked, one edit scales both by the same factor; unlinked, each box is edited on its own.

Move the anchor point

Use the anchor point tool in the Viewer to move it without moving the layer, or drag the anchor point directly with the selection tool. The Align panel puts it on a corner, an edge or the centre of the layer.

The gizmo

Select a layer and the Viewer draws its wireframe and a transform gizmo. Drag the handles to move, scale, and rotate.

Hold Shift to keep a move to one axis, or a scale in proportion. The arrow keys nudge the selected layers one pixel, or ten with Shift. See the Viewer.

Parenting

Parent a layer to another and it follows the parent’s transform. Its own values then read as offsets from the parent. Parenting or unparenting a layer does not move it on the current frame. A 3D layer, camera or light keeps its X, Y and Z Rotation; the turn goes on its Orientation.

The Viewer draws a parented layer’s outline, handles and motion path through the whole parent chain. Drags, nudges and Align move its Position in the parent’s space.

Use a null layer as the parent when you want a rig that never draws. One layer can parent many layers at once.