Ever wondered how to cut (split) video at the timeline in Adobe After Effects? We will show you how plus 7 other footage editing and arranging techniques and tricks in Adobe After Effect. Let’s start.
1. How to cut in After Effects
To cut (split in half) video footage in After effects timeline all you need to do is position the time cursor at the target position in timeline, click on the footage file and go EDIT/SPLIT LAYER or by shortcut key SHIFT+CMD+D (Windows: SHIFT+CTRL+D)
2. How to cut a video at current time and move it to the beginning automatically
To cut a footage in the timeline at the current time and move it automatically to the start of the timeline you will need to double click on the footage (new preview window will open) and then click on the opening bracket button under the video preview panel.
3. How to set IN and OUT points of multiple video files in the timeline panel
To set the IN and OUT points of multiple footage files in After Effect timeline panel you need to click on the first and SHIFT+click on the last layer and then press the ALT+[ on your keyboard to set an IN point or ALT+] to set OUT point.
P.S. If you want to easily duplicate the layers in the timeline panel just press CMD+D (Windows: CTRL+D) on your keyboard.
4. How to arrange layers vertically by their IN points
There is an great script in After Effects that lets you arrange layers in the timeline panel by their IN point in time. So if you got a messy timeline and want to easily make it clean and arranged we will show you how. Select all layers starting from first one you want to be topmost and then SHIFT+click on the last layer in the sequence. Go to the FILE/SCRIPTS/Sort Layers By In Point.jsx and voilla!
5. How to switch vertical arrangement of the layers in timeline panel
If you would like to switch the layers arrangement in the After Effects timeline panel you should select them FROM BOTTOM UP (important!). Go to the EDIT/CUT and EDIT/PASTE and layers will be pasted to the timeline in the opposite vertical arrangement then before.
6. How to easily sequence layers in After Effects
Next interesting trick would be to sort the layers sequentially in the timeline panel by a selecting all layers clicking on the starting one firstly then last layer in the sequence and then go to the ANIMATION/KEYFRAME ASSISTANT/Sequence Layers. That should do it.
7. How to set IN point of multiple video files in After Effects
To set a IN point of multiple layers in Adobe After Effects you will need to select all layers and press the opening [ (IN point) or closing square bracket ] (OUT point). Feel free to check the video below.
8. How to slide time range of a video footage layer in timeline panel
And last but not least we will show you how to slide the time within the video layer in the timeline panel. Firstly select the layer then click on the PAN BEHIND button on the toolbar (shortcut: Y key) then freely drag the layer to slide the time in the timeline window.
That would be our short tutorial on how to handle video footage and cut in After Effects like a pro. Feel free to check out more of our free After Effects templates ready to use out of the box. Also feel free to download our free video overlays that you can use in your video projects.
Where to go next: Up for some tutorials on how to animate in the After Effects timeline?
Feel free to check the video tutorial below on how to make 5 simple animations in AE.
