How do you copy and paste effects in After Effects?

You can copy and paste effects in Adobe After Effects to quickly apply the same effects to multiple layers. Here's how:

Select the Layer with the Effects: In your composition timeline, click the layer that has the effects you want to copy. This is your source layer.
Reveal the Effects: In the Timeline panel, twirl down the layer to reveal its properties. Then, twirl down "Effects" to display all applied effects.
Select the Effects to Copy:
- To copy all effects, select the "Effects" property itself.
- To copy specific effects, select those individual effects in the Timeline panel. You can select multiple effects by holding down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking.
Copy the Effects: Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac) to copy the selected effect(s).
Select the Target Layer(s): Click the layer or layers you want to apply the effects to. You can select multiple target layers by holding down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) while clicking.
Paste the Effects: Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac) to paste the copied effect(s) onto the selected target layer(s). The effects will be added to the bottom of the effects stack on the target layer.

Tips and Considerations:

Adjustment Layers: You can also copy effects from an adjustment layer to regular layers. This is useful for applying global effects.
Expressions: If your effects contain expressions, the expressions will be copied as well. However, you may need to adjust the expressions on the target layer to ensure they reference the correct layers or properties, especially if the expression references the source layer.
Effect Order: The order of effects can significantly impact the final result. If necessary, rearrange the order of effects on the target layer after pasting. Simply click and drag the effects in the Timeline panel to change their order.
Presets: For effects you use frequently, consider creating an animation preset (Animation > Save Animation Preset). This allows you to save the effects with all their settings and quickly apply them to other layers.

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