In After Effects, the anchor point is a reference point that determines the position, rotation, and scale of a layer. It is important to set the anchor point before animating your composition, as it will affect how the layer moves and transforms.
If you need to move the anchor point to a new location, you can use the Pan Behind Tool:
- Activate the tool by pressing the Y key on your keyboard or by selecting it from the toolbar at the top of the After Effects interface.
- Then, use the Pan Behind Tool to move the anchor point to your desired location.
- You can see the anchor point values update in real-time as you move the anchor point around the composition in the transform menu.
- When you are finished, simply select the Selection Tool by pressing V on your keyboard or by selecting it from the toolbar.
There are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when working with anchor points in After Effects:
- For example, you can center the anchor point on a layer by using the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + Home (Mac) or Ctrl + Alt + Home (PC).
- You can also move the anchor point along the X or Y axis in straight lines by holding down the Shift key while using the Pan Behind Tool.
- Additionally, you can activate anchor point guides by holding down Control (PC) or Command (Mac) while dragging the anchor point around with the Pan Behind Tool. This will allow the anchor point to snap to illuminated crosshairs in your composition, making it easier to align it with specific objects.
Overall, mastering the use and manipulation of the anchor point in After Effects is an important skill for any animator or visual effects artist.
