You can move shapes in After Effects using various methods, primarily by manipulating their properties like Position, Rotation, and Scale within the Timeline panel.
Here's a breakdown of the common techniques:
1. Using the Selection Tool and Transform Properties:
- Selection Tool (V): Select the shape layer in the Composition panel. Then, click and drag the shape to reposition it visually.
- Transform Properties: In the Timeline panel, expand the shape layer and its "Transform" properties. You'll find:
- Position: This controls the X and Y coordinates of the shape's anchor point. Adjust these values to move the shape.
- Rotation: Changes the angle of the shape.
- Scale: Modifies the size of the shape.
- Anchor Point: Defines the point around which transformations (rotation, scale) occur. Repositioning the anchor point can affect how the shape moves.
2. Animating with Keyframes:
- Keyframes: The heart of animation in After Effects. Set keyframes at different points in time to define the shape's properties at those moments. After Effects automatically interpolates (creates the frames in between) to create the movement.
- To set a keyframe, click the stopwatch icon next to the property you want to animate (e.g., Position).
- Move the current time indicator (CTI) to a different point in the timeline.
- Adjust the property value. A new keyframe will automatically be created.
- Example: Moving a shape from left to right:
- Select the shape layer.
- In the Timeline, expand the layer and its Transform properties.
- Click the stopwatch next to "Position" at the beginning of your composition to set the first keyframe.
- Move the CTI to a later point in time.
- Adjust the X value of the "Position" property to move the shape horizontally to the right. A second keyframe will be created.
- After Effects will now animate the shape moving from the first position to the second.
3. Parenting Layers:
- Parenting: Link one layer (the child) to another (the parent). When the parent layer moves, rotates, or scales, the child layer follows along. This is useful for creating complex animations where multiple shapes need to move in relation to each other.
- How to Parent: In the Timeline panel, use the "Parent & Link" column (if it's not visible, right-click on the column headers and choose "Columns > Parent & Link"). Select the parent layer from the dropdown menu for the child layer.
4. Using Expressions:
- Expressions: Lines of code that can control layer properties. They offer advanced control over animation and can create dynamic and procedural movements. This is a more advanced technique.
- Example: You could use an expression to make a shape orbit around another shape.
Tips for Smooth Movement:
- Easing: Adjust the interpolation between keyframes to create more natural-looking movement. Right-click on a keyframe and choose "Keyframe Assistant > Easy Ease" (or Easy Ease In/Out) to apply easing. You can further customize the easing in the Graph Editor.
- Motion Blur: Add motion blur to your shape layer to simulate the blurring effect of fast movement. Enable motion blur for the layer in the Timeline panel (the small circle icon). Make sure motion blur is also enabled for the composition as a whole (the same icon at the top of the Timeline panel).
By combining these techniques, you can achieve a wide range of shape movements in After Effects.
