How to copy an item in a layer.

How to copy an item in a layer.

on Nov 22, 2014 at 9:48:39 pm

Hello.

Can someone please tell me, how to make a simple copy and paste of an item in a layer.

I try doing this with the pen tool, but it only copies the mask, so when I move it, it is only the mask that moves on the background.

I know this must be very basic knowledge, but unknown to me yet.

Ola

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

by Dave LaRonde

on Nov 22, 2014 at 10:04:36 pm

I'm unsure what you mean by, "an item in a layer".
The properties? Masks? Effects?

The usual way to do it is to DUPLICATE something... ctl/cmd-d. You can't duplicate properties.

Dave LaRonde
Promotion Producer
KGAN (CBS) & KFXA (Fox) Cedar Rapids, IA

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

by Dieter Wayland

on Nov 23, 2014 at 7:32:32 am

what kind is the item?

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

on Nov 23, 2014 at 12:33:36 pm

Sorry about that Dieter;

It could be anything. Say I have a Cup in the picture and I want to dublicate this Cup..... how do I do this ?

Meaning I want to have 2 Cups in the picture.

I have dived into the deep end of AE and am missing some of the basics here ;-)

Ola

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

by John Cuevas

on Nov 23, 2014 at 1:24:53 pm

All you would need to do is select the layer in the timeline and press Cntl+D(to duplicate the layer). You can clear all the current selections(masks, effects...) by pressing F2 first, the select the layer and press Cntl+D to duplicate.

Johnny Cuevas, Editor
Thinkck.com

"I have not failed 700 times. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work."
---THOMAS EDISON on inventing the light bulb.

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

on Nov 24, 2014 at 8:36:13 am

Thanks,

When I do this, I only get a duplicate of the mask itself, meaning that if I move it around in the layer, I don't get a copy of the Cup, but instead, of whatever is in the background, where the mask is at that moment.

What am I doing wrong here ?

Isn't there a selection tool, where I can draw around whatever item and duplicate it, instead of dublicating the mask ? Something similar to the Clone Stamp tool, but where I can draw whatever pattern I want instead of the circle stamp ?

Chears

Ola

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

by Dave LaRonde

on Nov 24, 2014 at 9:57:02 pm
Last Edited By Dave LaRonde on Nov 24, 2014 at 9:57:20 pm

You duplicate the cup layer. Ctl/cmd-d mac/win.

Dave LaRonde
Promotion Producer
KGAN (CBS) & KFXA (Fox) Cedar Rapids, IA

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

on Nov 25, 2014 at 8:45:39 pm

Thanks,

But whenever I try, I only seem to copy the MASK, meaning when I move it around, the cup doesn't follow, see screenshots.

What have I misunderstood here ?

Here's the first screenshot:

Then I make a Mask of the Cup:

Here I choose "Mode/None":

I doubleclick on the Mask:

Dublicate and move it a bit:

Going nut's here :-(

Ola

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

by Dave LaRonde

on Nov 26, 2014 at 12:50:55 am
Last Edited By Dave LaRonde on Nov 26, 2014 at 1:33:31 am

Yes, you're missing something HUGE: you need more layers!

You need the badckground layer, and then above it the cup layer, with just the cup and its mask. Then you can duplicate the cup layer all you want.

This is really, Really, REALLY basic stuff. I recommend spending time learning the basics or you won't get anywhere in AE. It's too complicated to learn it intuitively by playing with it, or by saying to yourself, "I guess that's how it's supposed to work."

That's a surefire recipe for disaster.

There are PLENTY of materials out there to learn. Here's a great series right here on the COW:

http://blogs.adobe.com/aftereffects/2012/02/after-effects-basics-tutorials-...

When you go to the web address above, you will note that it's on the Adobe web site, written by Todd Kopriva. Todd happens to be Abobe's Man In Charge Of After Effects... Mr. After Effects himself. If Todd says those tutorials are good, you can take it to the bank.

Dave LaRonde
Promotion Producer
KGAN (CBS) & KFXA (Fox) Cedar Rapids, IA

Re: How to copy an item in a layer.

on Nov 26, 2014 at 3:53:11 pm

Thanks Dave a LOT !! :-)

So it was that simple :-) Been pulling my hair over this ;)

Thanks also for that link for those amazing tutorials !! :-)

Ola