askvity

What is the shortcut for layer opacity in After Effects?

Published in After Effects Shortcuts 2 mins read

The shortcut for layer opacity in After Effects is T.

Quickly Adjust Layer Opacity in After Effects

When working within Adobe After Effects, efficiently adjusting layer properties is key to a smooth workflow. One of the most frequently modified properties is Opacity, which controls the transparency of a layer. While you can always navigate through the layer properties to find Opacity, there's a much faster way using a simple keyboard shortcut.

Accessing Opacity with the 'T' Key

As noted in references like "Switching Blending Modes & Opacity in AE", to quickly reveal the Opacity property for a selected layer or layers in the Timeline panel, you just press T.

Here's how to use it:

  • Select the layer(s) in your Composition's Timeline panel whose opacity you wish to adjust.
  • Press the T key on your keyboard.
  • The Opacity property will immediately appear under the selected layer(s), ready for you to change the value.

This shortcut is a fundamental part of speeding up common adjustments like transformations (Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity). Instead of twirling down the layer properties, then the "Transform" group, and finally clicking Opacity, a single key press brings it directly into view.

Shortcuts for Rapid Workflow

Using shortcuts like T for Opacity saves valuable time, especially when making numerous adjustments. The reference also highlights that you can use Shift+ or Shift- to quickly cycle through blending modes, demonstrating After Effects' focus on keyboard efficiency for common tasks. Mastering these shortcuts, including T for Opacity, is essential for any After Effects user looking to enhance their productivity.

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