AfterEffects

Time-remap a layer

You can time-remap all or part of a layer. For example, you can time-remap a frame at the beginning or end of the layer, creating a freeze-frame result, or you can time-remap frames in the middle of the layer, creating a slow-motion result that only lasts for a few seconds.

Freeze the first frame without changing the speed

  1. In a Composition or Timeline panel, select the layer you want to remap.
  2. Choose Layer > Time > Enable Time Remapping.
  3. Move the current-time indicator to where you want the movie to begin.
  4. Click the Time Remap property name to select the start and end keyframes.
  5. Drag the first keyframe to the current-time indicator, which moves the start and end keyframes. (If you are working in the Graph Editor, drag the bounding box—not the keyframe or a handle—so that both keyframes move.)

Remap time using the Graph Editor

To switch between Graph Editor mode and layer bar mode, press Shift+F3.
  1. In a Composition or Timeline panel, select the layer you want to remap.
  2. Choose Layer > Time > Enable Time Remapping.
  3. In the Timeline panel, click the name of the Time Remap property to select it.
  4. Move the current-time indicator to the time at which to add a keyframe, and click the keyframe button in the keyframe navigator to add a keyframe.
  5. In the Graph Editor, drag the keyframe marker up or down, watching the Time Remap value as you drag. To snap to other keyframes, Shift-drag.
    Dragging the keyframe down slows down the layer.

    • To slow the layer down, drag the keyframe down. (If the layer is playing in reverse, drag up.)

    • To speed the layer up, drag the keyframe up. (If the layer is playing in reverse, drag down.)

    • To play frames backward, drag the keyframe down to a value below the previous keyframe value.

    • To play frames forward, drag the keyframe up to a value above the previous keyframe value.

    • To freeze the previous keyframe, drag the current keyframe marker to a value equal to the previous keyframe value so that the graph line is flat. Another method is to select the keyframe and choose Animation > Toggle Hold Keyframe, and then add another keyframe where you want the motion to start again.

Before you move a time-remap keyframe, it’s a good idea to select all subsequent time-remap keyframes in the layer first. This will preserve the timing of the rest of the layer when you remap time for the current keyframe.

Remap time in a Layer panel

  1. Open the Layer panel for the layer you want to remap.
  2. Choose Layer > Time > Enable Time Remapping. A second time ruler appears in the Layer panel above the default time ruler and the navigator bar.
  3. On the lower time ruler, move the current-time indicator to the first frame where you want the change to occur.
  4. On the upper time ruler, the remap-time marker indicates the frame currently mapped to the time indicated on the lower time ruler. To display a different frame at the time indicated on the lower time ruler, move the remap-time marker accordingly.
    Drag the remap-time marker to replace the frame at the current time marker.

  5. Move the current-time indicator on the lower time ruler to the last frame where you want change to occur.
  6. Move the remap-time marker on the upper time ruler to the frame you want to display at the time indicated on the lower time ruler:

    • To move the preceding portion of the layer forward, set the remap-time marker to a later time than the current-time indicator.

    • To move the preceding portion of the layer backward, set the remap-time marker to an earlier time than the current-time indicator.

    • To freeze a frame, set the remap-time marker to the frame you want frozen. Then, move the current-time indicator (lower ruler) to the last point in time where the frame will appear frozen and move the remap-time marker again to the frame you want frozen.