To select all keyframes in After Effects, you have a couple of primary methods based on whether you want to select all visible keyframes for a layer or all keyframes for a specific property.
Efficiently selecting keyframes is crucial for adjusting timing, copying/pasting animations, or batch editing properties in After Effects. Here's how you can select all keyframes using common methods.
Method 1: Select All Visible Keyframes on a Layer
This method allows you to select all keyframes that are currently visible in the timeline for a selected layer, which is particularly useful after revealing properties that have keyframes.
- Select the Layer: First, click on the layer in the timeline or composition panel that contains the keyframes you want to select.
- Reveal Keyframed Properties: Press the U key on your keyboard. This shortcut reveals only the properties that have keyframes on the selected layer.
- Select All Revealed Keyframes: With the keyframes now visible, press Command + Option + A (on macOS) or Control + Alt + A (on Windows). This action selects all keyframes that are currently displayed for the selected layer.
- Practical Insight: This method is excellent for quickly grabbing all keyframes across various properties of a layer after using the 'U' key to see only the animated ones.
Method 2: Select All Keyframes for a Specific Property
If you only need to select all keyframes associated with a single property (like Position, Scale, or Opacity), there's a simpler way.
- Select the Layer: Click on the layer containing the property.
- Locate the Property: Expand the layer's properties until you find the specific property name (e.g., "Position").
- Click the Property Name: Click directly on the name of the property in the timeline. This action selects all keyframes belonging to that specific property, regardless of whether they are currently visible or not.
- Practical Insight: This is the fastest way to select all keyframes for one type of animation on a layer, useful for offsetting timing or copying all position keyframes, for example.
By utilizing these methods, you can quickly select the keyframes you need to manipulate your animations effectively in After Effects.
