Color control

In this example, create 3 shape layers, as shown below

Now create an empty layer so that all color controls are in one spot.

Command+option+shift+Y (MAC)

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Y (WIN)

Drag color control presets on the empty layer 3 times, then rename them as shown below

Let’s link the color of each layer to the appropriate color control preset.

Done! You can now change the color of the layer you want.

Drop down menu control

Adobe has released a new expression control called the Dropdown control, available only in versions After Effect 2020.

The dropdown expression control is a new effect added to After Effects 2020 that allows switching from one composition to another.

This new feature will be amazing for video editors (who want to switch to different compositing without going deep into After Effects).

Here are some videos on drop-down menu controls that might be worth a look.

youtu.be/nPTNtwSx9SE

youtu.be/JD3a4b5jbYU

The layer control

What can you do with layer controls?

Simply put, layer controls allow you to have a master layer that controls all other duplicated layers. Basically you don’t need to copy the properties to the duplicated layer.

The source layer

For example, here the source layer will drive the colors of all the other layers.

Some controls

In contrast to 3D point control, point control has only two values (X and Y), allowing you to work in 2D space.

Here’s how to use dot control effects correctly

  1. Create a layer 2
  • Solid layer 100×100 pixels

  • Create a new shape layer (name it “Controller”)

  1. Go to the Effects and Presets window and drag the dot control onto your shape layer Controller

  2. Now connect the location where you select the “Whip” icon to the dot control.

Now you can use the dot control to control the position of your layer. Here is a demonstration

Slider control

The slider control, found on the Effects and Presets panel, allows you to attach a property value to the slider.

Slider controls can easily be connected to a value property, such as:

  • size
  • opaque
  • Effect of a

How does it work

  1. Simply drag and drop the slider control from the Effects and presets panels into an empty layer
  2. Connect from the layer to the slider control, as shown below

  1. The slider now controls the layer’s opacity.