How to Copy an Effect or Property in After Effects

This tutorial is on how to copy and paste an effect and property from one layer to another in After Effects.

Copy and Paste an Effect Via the Effect Controls Panel

To begin, apply an effect to a layer. In the video above I go into the Effects & Presets Panel and apply a Fast Box Blur. In the Effect Controls Panel select the effect by clicking it’s title — Fast Box Blur in my case.

Then use the keyboard shortcut Command+C if you’re on a Mac or Control+C if you’re on a PC to copy the effect. Now select the layer in the Timeline Panel that you want to copy the effect onto. Then use Command+V if you’re on a Mac or Control+V if you’re on a PC to paste it onto that layer. Select the layer and in the Effect Controls Panel you’ll see that it’s been applied to that layer.

Additional Suggested Viewing: Creating Masks in After Effects

Using the Timeline Panel to Copy and Paste Effects and Properties

Another way to copy and paste effects is in the Timeline. And here we can also do this with properties like scale, position, opacity, rotation, and anchor point.

First, select the layer with the effect applied to it or the property (scale, position, etc.) that’s been modified. Hit “UU” — the U key twice rapidly. This will bring up any modified properties on the layer.

Select the effect or property in the Timeline Panel beneath the layer and to copy it use Command+C if you’re on a Mac or Control+C if you’re on a PC. Then select the layer you want to paste it to and use Command+V if you’re on a Mac or Control+C if you’re on a PC.

And boom! You now know how to copy and paste an effect or property from one layer to another in After Effects.

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– Josh