Before you add footage to a composition, you must first specify the time at which the layer will begin in the composition. Setting the current time of the composition also sets the starting point for an added layer. You can do this several ways: using the Time Controls palette, the Composition window, the Time Layout window, or keyboard shortcuts.
You can control the playback of the Footage, Composition, Time Layout, and Layer windows using the Time Controls palette. Figure 4.35 describes how they function.
To show the Time Controls palette:
To set the current time in the Time Layout window:
To cue the current time of the composition numerically:
1. |
Do any of the following things:
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2. |
In the Go To Time dialog box, do one of the following things:
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3. |
Click OK to close the Go To Time dialog box. |
Tip
Obviously, you'll need to change the current time in the Composition, Time Layout, Footage, and Layer windows frequently. It's worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the keyboard shortcuts that will help you get around. Here are two keyboard shortcuts to get you started: on an expanded keyboard, Page Down to advance one frame, Page Up to go back one frame.