Animate layer properties in the Composite timeline, shape easing in the graph editor, organize layers and precomps, and apply editable motion or text presets.
Where: Native Video Editor → Composite.
Key ideas
- Properties are native animation channels: Transform, source, effect, mask, paint, text, and 3D controls can hold constants or frame-keyed values. Timeline property rows expose the values actually evaluated at the playhead.
- The graph is an editor, not a preview: Selected property curves can be edited with hold or Bezier easing, marquee selection, handles, and multi-property graph views. Viewer motion paths stay linked to the same keys.
- Presets remain editable: Layer and text animation presets create native keys. Motion Scene presets insert a complete editable scene at the playhead rather than generating media or charging Sparks.
Steps
- Switch to Composite and select a layer in the viewer or layer stack.
- Reveal Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity, or every animated property with the property shortcuts or disclosure rows.
- Move to a frame, enable the property keyframe control, and enter the desired value; add at least one later key.
- Select keys in the timeline and open the graph view for the property whose velocity or value needs shaping.
- Set Hold for a hard step or adjust Bezier handles for acceleration/deceleration; scrub and inspect the linked motion path.
- Use parent, group, align/distribute, layer order, or Precompose to make the stack manageable. Avoid parent cycles.
- Open Animation and apply an In, Out, or Loop layer preset, or a text choreography preset; inspect and retime the keys it created.
- Use the Motion Scene library for an editable title/graphic scene, set copy, palette, and LTR/RTL direction, then insert it at the playhead.
- Play the complete range and review both sampled frames and continuous motion before export.
Layer organization
- Multi-select and drag reorder
- Parent/unparent with cycle protection
- Group/ungroup under a transform controller
- Precompose; open nested compositions in tabs
- Align left/center/right/top/middle/bottom
- Distribute horizontal/vertical; center anchor; fit/fill
Animation libraries
- Layer motion grouped into In, Out, and Loop
- Text choreography split by characters, words, or lines
- Motion Scenes for editable titles and graphic story beats
- Hover/focus previews; applying writes normal keys that can be edited or removed
Tips
- Animate the smallest stable hierarchy: parent related layers to one controller instead of keyframing every child.
- Use nonuniform review times for looping/procedural motion so evenly spaced samples do not alias the cycle.
Limitations and important notes
- Precomposing changes hierarchy and evaluation context; inspect masks, mattes, blending, and audio afterward.
- Text presets replace the current text-progress animation rather than layering another independent progress driver.
- Still frames cannot verify easing, velocity, rhythm, or loop seams.
Troubleshooting
A keyframe exists but the viewer value looks unchanged.
Confirm the playhead is inside the layer, the correct property row is selected, and a parent or scene control is not providing the visible motion instead.
Parent selection is refused.
The relationship would create a cycle or targets an ineligible controller/layer.