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Let’s finally have that “Trim Comp to Work Area” Shortcut
Hi Guys,
I am wishing for this since AE 6 but after quite some research back then gave up
(like some of you might have, too):A “Trim Comp to Work Area” Shortcut
Everytime someone asks for it, the natural response seems to be “Why would you want that? Context-click the work area and select it, done! That ain’t fast enough?”. Well, I am sorry, but it is not fast enough. Just remember the last time you managed a fairly large comp with sequenced layers, trimming, sub-comping, setting work area, trim to… ahh wait, have to go for the mouse, click this area here… okay, back to the keyboard…
To cut this short: I know now that there is a way and since it has not been posted yet (at least I could not find it) let’s do it!
Locate your AE shortcut file (you may have to enable visibility for hidden system folders)
MAC > [drive]:/Users/[user profile]/Library/Preferences/Adobe/After Effects/[version number]/Adobe After Effects [version number] Shortcuts.txt
WIN > [drive]:Users[user name]AppDataRoamingAdobeAfter Effects[version number]Adobe After Effects [version number] Shortcuts.txt
Open it with a text editor and do a search for [“CCompCompCmd”]
Below that line is a list of commands. You will have to add one:“CompTrimToWorkArea” = “(your preferred shortcut)”
Add this line in respect to the alphabetical order of the list. In my case it looks like this:
(…)
“CompToggleUberAnimatingKeyframesAddState” = “(Shift+U)”
“CompTrimToWorkArea” = “(Ctrl+Shift+X)”
“CompTwirlAnchorPoint” = “(A)”
(…)Now copy your shortcut including the parentheses and do a search for it. There shouldn’t be another function associated with it, or else this will not work.
You are not done yet. Next do a search for [“CSwitchboard”] and add your new line in the list below that (again in alphabetical order). In my case:
(…)
“CompToggleUberAnimatingKeyframesAddState” = “(Shift+U)”
“CompTrimToWorkArea” = “(Ctrl+Shift+X)”
“CompViewOptions” = “(Ctrl+Alt+U)”
(…)Now save and close, fire up After Effects, try your new shortcut and increase your comping speed by at least 80%. Of course you should back up that original file, but you can always just delete it, and AE will create a new default one on startup.
Greetings
Stephan -
13 Replies
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Nice, Stephan!
Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events -
This thread was so helpful!
I was able to reroute a whole set of keyboard shortcuts not useable prior because of using a german keyboard with an english ae.
https://www.martinlorenz.at/blog/?t=w-i-p#english-ae-shortcut-file-for-german-keyboard
(still working on it.)
Thanks a lot!!! -
Such a useful post. Thanks so much
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I made an account here just to show my gratitude. I have been wanting this for the longest time. Thank you so much.
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First of all, thank you so much for this tut! Could you tell me how to add a shortcut for the “Reduce Project” in the File menu?
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Is there a resource to find more ways to edit the shortcut file? It is killing me there isn’t a shortcut for toggle transparency in the comp viewer.
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Hi Michael,
there is a shortcut to do this: ctrl+alt and then num pad + or – to decrease and increase opacity. add shift for 10% increments.
Cheers!——-
Freelance
Motion Graphics / Grading
Berlin – Germany -
Wow, thanks a lot!
How did you figure out that you could add that to the text file and it would work?
What I’m REALLY curious about is… what OTHER things can we add to the text file to create new keyboard shortcuts? Oooh, the possibilities.
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There is a great script called KeyEd Up that works pretty well. Can’t seem to find it after a google search but I can send you mine if you like
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Thanks!!
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