Using keyframes with effects

Each effect has a default keyframe at the beginning and end of the clip, indicated by half-diamonds on the keyframe line in the Timeline window. If an effect has adjustable controls, you can change the start or end time of the effect or add additional keyframes to create an animated effect. If you don't make any changes to the default keyframes, the settings for the associated effect apply to the entire clip.

Note: The pointer becomes a shaded finger when it is on a keyframe.

To set a keyframe for an effect:

1 In the Timeline window, click the triangle to the left of the track name to display the keyframe line.

2 If the clip is on a Video 2 or above track, click the effect keyframe icon () to display effect keyframes.

3 If the clip contains more than one effect, click the effect pop-up menu above the keyframe line to the left of the effect's name and select an effect.

4 Position the edit line at the point where you want to create a keyframe and do one of the following:

Note: Once you set the initial keyframe for an effect, the Effect Enabled icon () appears next to the effect name in the Effect Controls palette.

To select a keyframe:

Click the keyframe icon on the keyframe line.

To move the edit line to the previous or next keyframe:

Select the clip containing the keyframe, and then press the forward or backward keyframe navigator arrow ( ).

To change an effect's settings at a keyframe:

1 Select a keyframe either by clicking it, using the keyframe navigator to move the edit line to it, or manually positioning the edit line on it.

2 In the Effect Controls window, select the effect and do one of the following:

To remove a keyframe:

Select the keyframe in the effect keyframe line and do one of the following:

Note: You cannot remove the beginning and ending keyframes for any effect.

To remove all but the first and last effect keyframes for an effect:

1 In the Timeline window, select the clip to which the effect is applied.

2 In the Effect Controls palette, click the stopwatch icon () in the Effect Enabled button next to the effect name.

To reposition a keyframe:

Drag the keyframe to a new position on the keyframe timeline.

Note: You can drag the first and last keyframes to reset the time the effect begins or ends. A black keyframe line appears when you drag either of these two keyframes, indicating that no effect will be applied in that area. You can reposition keyframes only for effects with adjustable controls. To make it easier to drag the default keyframes, deselect the clip by clicking in an empty area in the Timeline.

Applying Effects > Working with effects > Using keyframes with effects