(use Shift key to open additional shortcuts)
S = Size
T = Opacity
P = Position
R = Rotation
U = All of the above at once.
M = Mask shape
F = Mask Feather
TT = Mask Opacity
MM = All mask properties
L = Audio levels

Opt+] = Trim end to Current Time
(Apple)+] Trim to end of current time and compress time.
Opt+[ = Trim start to Current Time
(O) letter O = goto end of layer
i = to goto the in point in the Timeline for a selected layer.
o = to goto the out point in the Timeline for a selected layer.
(Tilde) = Collapsing a layer hierarchy
(Tab) = Deselecting all
(cap lock) = Turns off display updating. Use it when things start to slow down.
E = Show a layer's effect
* = Adds a Layer Marker. Highlight the layer and Hit the * key on the numbers keypad
Apple-T = Show a layer's Effect window
Apple-U = Set Quality at Best
Apple/Shift/U = Set Quality to Draft
B = Set beginning of work area
N = Set the end of work area
Apple/Shift/Right Arrow = Move ahead 10 frames
Apple/Shift/Lift Arrow = Move back 10 frames
Apple + Arrow = move one frame left or right.
Option + Arrow = to nudge selected key frames
Shift + F1 to F9 to add marker to timeline.
+ = expands the timeline
- = contracts the timeline
Shift + = enlarge the size of the comp window
Shift - = reduces the size of the comp window
Shift + moving the Time marker makes it align to keyframes and in and our points
Shift = holding it down while moving the time pointer, key frames and layer comps will snap them into positions on the time line. ( big time saver ! )
F4 = toggles between Switches and Modes Mode in the time line.

To change names...highlight then hit return.

Apple + I to import files

In the Render Queue Window, you can rerun a finished render by selecting it and choosing Edit > Duplicate with the File Name.

Don't forget to Interpret all Illustrator files before using them. set Alpha to Treat as Pre-multiplied

Create 864 x 480 Custom comp in square pixel format. Don't use AF wide-screen comp settings. Now you can see and work on the project as it will actually look like when projected. When your ready to make a movie stretch the image to 720 x 480 for use with anamorphic wide-screen DV. Note: yes it's OK to stretch the width of the movie, It will look great. Never stretch the Height.

Select files on desk top
Bring AF Project window to the front.
Grab highlighted files and drag into the Project window.
Note you still need to Interpret all files before using them. File/Interpret Footage/Main/set Alpha to Treat as Pre-multiplied

Use Crop marks to define the space around the artwork. Object>Crop Marks>Make

Save all artwork with even pixel width and height. Odd settings will look blurry in AF

Always make your artwork equal to or larger then you need to avoid the need to recompose in AF. (very import time saver)

Make all art your going to color in AF white in Illustrator before saving.

Set the Rule so the Bottom and Left of your art is set to Zero!!!. Not the top!!! or you will not see your art in AF.

Importing Illustrator files into AF 5.5 must be saved as Illustrator 9 files
Importing Illustrator files into AF 6.0 must be saved as illustrator 10 files

Illustrator and AF 3 Bug: AF imports illustrator 6 files, but you must save them from Illustrator 6. You can create artwork in Illustrator 9 but you must open the file in 6 and "Save AS" 6

Files Won't Import? After you delete unneeded layers in illustrator Select Layer > Layer Option > check Print, then save. Pint must be enabled on layers for use with AF. Print is enabled if you can see a preview when importing files.

Open file in illustrator 9 (don't use 10) and copy outline. In AF highlight the layer and
Layer > Mask > New Mask. Double click layer to open layer window and past outline into layer. Don't forget to touch the pen tool to make the outline visible.
To Feather mask > highlight sold layer > Layer > Mask > Mask Feather

To create a Mask in AF Layer > New> Sold New
highlight Sold layer and use pen tools to create mask.
Stack the mask artwork above the photo layer. Hide the top mask by clicking the eye on the left of the layer. On the photo layer target the layer mask.
That's it.

The easiest way to stop Multiple layer see through is to apply an Adjustment Layer
Layer > New > Adjustment Layer and apply the Transform Effect (Effects > Distort > Transform) By setting key frames for the Opacity parameter in this effect instead of using regular Opacity key frames, the fade-out effects all layers below after they're been composited as a group. (see Meyer's Creating Motion Graphics AF book p. 95)

Enlarge the art in the original comp (larger then needed in the main comp) and turn on the Collapse Transformation switch for the layer. (change layer icon into a black sun)
Or make the illustrator art larger then you're going to use. (see above)

It easy but be warned! First create a new sold and don't resize or position it. Because when you copy it to the layer you want to animate, any changes will be copied and you will never be able to get it right.
If the sold is in the way reduce it's opacity.
Also when you copy and paste the path, it will only be 2 seconds long. So you will need to time shift the key point to the length of time you need. See After Effects for Macintosh & Windows page 395-6 or details.
Note: Don't forget when you are using Auto-Orient to start with a layer that has not been rotated first. See page 393 for details.

Filter > Image Control > Color Balance
Divide animation time by three. Set first of the three colors to -100, 0, 0 Next key frame to 0, -100, 0 Last key frame to 0, 0, -100

Effects > Render > Ramp

Use Direct-selection tool (Hollow arrow) to select end point of text box then move line between the point in or out.

Before you add effects recompose image.
File > Interpret Footage > Main > Alpha > Treat As Premultiplies > ok
Add art to Time Layout window. Highlight layer
Layer > Pre-compos > Move all attributes into the new composition > ok

Trim layer
Opt+] = Trim end to Current Time
Opt+[ = Trim start to Current Time

Now you can add the glow effect.
Effect > Stylize > Glow
Glow Threshold 0, Glow Radius 10, Intensity 4, Behind, Screen

Problem: glow gets cut off around art even after Pre-Compose
Solution 1: Compufie the layer
Solution 2: In illustrator use Crop marks to define the space around the artwork.
Object > Crop Marks > Make
Solution 3 : add small dots out side the art in illustrator.

First off the effect won't work on graphic. You have to compify the graphic first. Put the graphic in a comp. Do what ever sizing and distortions and animation you want in that comp. I like using the Corner Pin Effect to distort Text.
Create a new comp. Drag the Graphic comp into it. Duplicate the layer.
Add the Echo Effect to the Bottom layer. Apply Effect>Time>Echo
Good setting are:
Echo time: -.100 (needs to be a negative number to make trials behind the art.)
Number of Echoes: 12 ( Set this keyframe and you can change it over time if you like.)
Starting Intensity: .40
Decay: .75
Echo Operator: Composite in Back
You should be able to see the effect on screen without creating a movie.

See"Real World After Effects Book page 314 for details.

Select any layer but your sound track layer is best. Position the time marker and press the asterisk key ( On the numeric keyboard, not the keyboard) to create the layer marker. Double-click directly on the marker to add a comment.

Or Option + * to create a layer marker and open the marker dialog box at the same time.

Now add a comment and Chapter name. That it. Now when you render the movie and play it it will have chapter markers.