How do I copy an effect in After Effects?

You can copy and paste effects in After Effects using a few straightforward methods.

Here's how:

1. Using Copy and Paste:

   • Single Effect: Select the effect you want to copy in the Effect Controls panel. Right-click on the effect's name and choose "Copy" (or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C on Windows or Cmd+C on Mac). Then, select the layer you want to apply the effect to, and in the Effect Controls panel (or Timeline panel), right-click and choose "Paste" (or use Ctrl+V or Cmd+V).
   • Multiple Effects: Select all the effects you want to copy by holding down the Shift key while clicking on each effect in the Effect Controls panel. Go to the "Edit" menu and select "Copy". Then, select the destination layer and paste the effects using the "Edit" menu and "Paste" or the keyboard shortcut.

2. Using the "Copy With Property Links" Option:

   • This method creates an expression linking the properties of the pasted effect to the original effect. This means any changes made to the original effect will automatically be reflected in the copied effect.
   • To use it, copy the effect as described above. Then, when you paste, choose "Paste With Property Links" from the Edit menu.

3. Copying Effects Between Projects

   • You can copy effects from one After Effects project to another using the same copy and paste methods. Just have both projects open simultaneously.

4. Saving Effects as Animation Presets:

   • If you frequently use a particular combination of effects, you can save it as an Animation Preset. Select all the effects you want to save in the Effect Controls Panel. Then, go to Animation > Save Animation Preset. This will save the preset to your Effects & Presets panel, where you can easily apply it to other layers.

In summary, the simplest way to copy an effect is to right-click on it in the Effect Controls panel, choose "Copy," and then right-click on the target layer (or in its Effect Controls panel) and choose "Paste." For linked effects, use "Paste With Property Links."