In After Effects, you can adjust your video using the Effects Control panel and Adjustment Layers.
Here's a breakdown of how to make adjustments in After Effects:
1. Using Adjustment Layers:
Adjustment Layers are a powerful, non-destructive way to apply effects to multiple layers at once. Any effect applied to an Adjustment Layer will affect all layers below it in the composition panel's layer stack.
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Create an Adjustment Layer: Go to Layer > New > Adjustment Layer. This creates a new, transparent layer.
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Apply Effects: Select the Adjustment Layer. Go to the Effects & Presets panel (Window > Effects & Presets) and search for the effect you want to apply (e.g., Color Correction, Brightness & Contrast, Curves). Drag the effect onto the Adjustment Layer.
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Adjust Effect Settings: The effect will now appear in the Effect Controls panel (Window > Effect Controls) for the Adjustment Layer. Modify the parameters of the effect as needed to achieve your desired look. The changes will apply to all layers beneath the Adjustment Layer.
2. Using the Effects Controls Panel Directly on a Layer:
You can also apply and adjust effects directly to a layer. This only affects the selected layer.
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Select Layer: Select the layer you want to adjust in the Timeline panel.
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Apply Effects: Go to the Effects & Presets panel (Window > Effects & Presets) and search for the desired effect. Drag the effect onto the selected layer.
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Adjust Effect Settings: The Effect Controls panel (Window > Effect Controls) will display the parameters for the applied effect. Modify the settings as needed.
3. Specific Adjustment Panel Features (Adobe Premiere Rush - Mentioned in Reference - but broadly applicable):
While the reference mentions an "Adjust panel" and "Smart Fix," these are more directly related to simpler video editing software like Adobe Premiere Rush. However, the concepts are similar:
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"Adjust" in Simplified Interfaces: In more streamlined editing environments, "Adjust" might refer to a dedicated panel where you can quickly access common color correction, exposure, and contrast settings. Look for an "Adjust" or "Color" panel.
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"Smart Fix": This feature typically provides an automatic adjustment of your video's colors and levels. It's a quick starting point, but you'll likely need to fine-tune the settings manually afterward for the best results. It's analogous to the "Auto Color" or "Auto Levels" effects in After Effects (though these are rarely the best option).
Example:
Let's say you want to increase the brightness and contrast of an entire composition.
- Create an Adjustment Layer (Layer > New > Adjustment Layer).
- Select the Adjustment Layer.
- In the Effects & Presets panel, search for "Brightness & Contrast."
- Drag the "Brightness & Contrast" effect onto the Adjustment Layer.
- In the Effect Controls panel, adjust the "Brightness" and "Contrast" sliders until you achieve the desired look for the entire composition.
