Two Primary Methods for Adding an Adjustment Layer:

How Do I Add an Adjustment Layer in Premiere?

Adding an adjustment layer in Adobe Premiere Pro allows you to apply effects like color grading or brightness adjustments to multiple clips simultaneously without affecting individual clip properties. This is a non-destructive editing method, meaning your original footage remains untouched.

1. Using the Menu:

   • Go to File > New > Adjustment Layer.
   • A new adjustment layer will be created with default settings. You can adjust these in the Video Settings dialog box that appears. Modify settings as needed for your specific needs. Then, drag this adjustment layer from the Project panel into your timeline, positioning it above the clips you want to affect.

2. Using the New Item Button:

   • In your Project panel, locate the New Item button (it often resembles a plus sign or a page icon). Click it.
   • Select "Adjustment Layer" from the list of options. This creates the layer ready for placement in your timeline.
   • Drag the adjustment layer from the Project panel onto your timeline above the clips you intend to modify.

Positioning the Adjustment Layer in Your Timeline:

Regardless of the method you use, ensure you place the adjustment layer above the video clips in your timeline that you want the effects to apply to. Any effects applied to the adjustment layer will impact the clips below it. This non-destructive approach helps keep your original video footage intact.

Applying Effects:

After adding the adjustment layer to your timeline, you can apply various effects from the Effects panel. This could include color correction tools, brightness adjustments, or other visual enhancements. The beauty of adjustment layers lies in their ability to control multiple clips with one single effect adjustment.

Example:

Let's say you want to subtly increase the contrast and saturation of several clips in your video. By adding an adjustment layer above these clips and applying a Lumetri Color effect with the desired contrast and saturation settings, you achieve a consistent look across all selected clips. Changing the settings on the adjustment layer instantly updates all the clips below.