Separate Position Dimensions in After Effects

by | Apr 6, 2023 | Adobe After Effects, Tutorials

Adobe After Effects CC 2023: How To Separate Position Property Dimensions

Description:
This tutorial will show you how to separate the dimensions of the Position Property for layers in Adobe After Effects CC 2023. This also works with 3D Layers.

Version Used in Tutorial:
Adobe After Effects CC 2023 or Later (23.0)

Keyboard Shortcuts:
P: Position Property

Position Property Dimensions:
2D Layers have X & Y Dimensions
3D Layers have X,Y,Z Dimensions

Why Separate Dimensions?

  1. More control over the position property
  2. Parent other layer properties to individual dimensions vs the entire property position
  3. Works with 3D Layers Position Properties (X, Y, Z)
  4. Use Expressions to target individual property dimensions (X,Y,Z)


Chapters:
00:00  Intro: About This Tutorial
00:32  How To Separate Dimensions (Position Property)
01:10  How To Combine Separate Dimensions
01:49  After Effects Version (23.0 or Later)
02:01  Separate Dimensions: How To Change Default Settings
02:29  How To Combine Separate Dimensions

Software Used:
Adobe After Effects CC 2023 (Click To Try or Buy)

How To Separate Position Property Dimensions in Adobe After Effects CC 2023:

  1. Open After Effects Composition
  2. Add Layers to Composition
  3. Click on any Layer
  4. Tap P for Position Property
  5. Right-Click (Ctrl + Click) on Position Property
  6. Check  on ‘Separate Dimensions’
  7. X,Y Dimensions will be separated for 2D Layers.
  8. X,Y,Z Dimensions will be separated for 3D-enabled layers

How To Combine Position Property Dimensions:

  1. Click on any Layer
  2. Tap P for Position Property
  3. Right-Click (Ctrl + Click) on Position Property
  4. Un-Check  on ‘Separate Dimensions’
  5. X,Y,Z Dimensions will combine into one

How To Change Default Settings in Adobe After Effects CC 2023:

  1. Confirm you are using Adobe After Effects Version 23.0 or later
  2. Go to After Effects…Settings…General
  3. Tick the box ‘Default Position Properties to Separated Dimensions’
  4. Click ‘OK’
  5. Drag in a graphic to new layer
  6. Tap ‘P’ for Position Property
  7. Position properties dimensions (X,Y,Z) automatically

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