Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 7.0 - About Adjustment Layers; To Create a Light or Camera Layer

ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 7.0
User Guide
151
• To add the layer to just the Project panel, choose File > Import > Solid.
2 In the Solid Footage Settings dialog box, type a name for the layer or accept the color-based name supplied.
3 Under Size, do one of the following:
• Click the Make Comp Size button to make the layer’s dimensions the same as the composition’s dimensions. This
option isn’t available if you created the layer with the File > Import command.
• Typewidthandheightdimensionsforthelayer.Ifnecessary,choosenewselectionsfromtheUnitsmenuandthe
Pixel Aspect Ratio menu.
4 Under Color, set the color of the layer in one of the following ways:
• Use the Color Picker: Click the color swatch, select the color you want, and click OK.
• Use any color visible on the screen: Click the Eyedropper , and then click the color you want.
5 Click OK.
6 In the Timeline panel, drag the new solid layer to any position above or below, as needed.
Note: After Effects stores all solids in the Solids folder in the Project panel. When you create a solid for the first time,
After Effects creates the Solids folder.
See also
“To change settings for a solid used by more than one layer” on page 161
To create a light or camera layer
You can use light and camera layers to create interesting results for the 3D layers in a composition.
1 With the Composition or Timeline panel active, choose Layer > New > Camera, or Layer > New > Light.
2 In the Camera or Light Settings dialog box, select the settings you want, and then click OK.
See also
“About cameras” on page 180
“About lights and points of interest” on page 183
“To select a color with the Color Picker” on page 327
About adjustment layers
When you apply an effect to an ordinary layer, the effect applies only to that layer and no others. However, an effect
can exist independently if you create an adjustment layer for it. Any effects applied to an adjustment layer affect all
layers below it in the composition stacking order. An adjustment layer at the bottom of the stacking order has no
visible result.
Because adjustment layer effects apply to all layers beneath them, they are useful for applying effects to many layers
at once. In all other aspects, an adjustment layer behaves exactly like other layers; for example, you can use keyframes
or expressions with any adjustment layer property. You can also create masks on adjustment layers.