All classes After Effects Syllabus · Episode 8 of 104

Class After Effects #8: Getting to Know Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment

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After Effects tutorial: footage layer, solid layer, text layer, shape layer, null object, and adjustment layer. Episode 8 of the Complete Adobe After Effects Series.

Software: Adobe After Effects
Level: Beginner
Duration: ± 4 min
Series total: 6 h 45 min · 104 videos
Published: October 27, 2026

Episode 8 of 104 · view syllabus

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Class After Effects #8: Getting to Know Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment: Cover: Class After Effects #8: Understanding Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment

Class After Effects #8: Getting to Know Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment: Before you start, steps list, and Step 1

Class After Effects #8: Getting to Know Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment: Steps 2–3: Solid layer

Class After Effects #8: Getting to Know Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment: Steps 4–5: Shape layer

Class After Effects #8: Getting to Know Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment: Step 6: Adjustment Layer

Class After Effects #8: Getting to Know Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment: Done: Final Result and Further Practice

Cover: Class After Effects #8: Understanding Layer Types: Footage, Solid, Text, Shape, Null, and Adjustment

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Transcript

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Introduction

This is the composition we will build. One footage of the beach with solid, text, shape, null, and adjustment layers, so that we understand the function of each layer type. Let's start. Hello, welcome back to the complete Adobe After Effects series from Cerdas Inovasi Digital. In this second module, we delve into composition and layers. This episode introduces the types of layers in After Effects and when to use each one, using a floating beach footage.

Step 1: Footage Layer

Import the beach footage and create a composition from it. Footage becomes the first layer. The small icon in front of the layer name indicates its type. Footage layers come from files in the project panel, and they last for the entire video duration.

Step 2: Solid Layer

Press Ctrl Y to create a solid. Name the blue strip, size 1200x180 pixels, and color blue. Solid is a flat color field created by After Effects itself, and it is automatically saved in the solids folder in the project panel. Drag down the screen.

Step 3: Text Layer

Select the Type Tool, click above the blue strip, then type 'windy beach'. Text layers are marked with the letter T in the timeline and their names follow the text content. Text in After Effects remains vector-based, so it stays sharp at any size. Make sure no layer is selected by pressing F2.

Step 4: Shape Layer

Select the Ellipse Tool and drag a circle in the top-right corner. Since no layer is selected, After Effects creates a new shape layer with a yellow fill. Shape layers are also vector-based and can be animated in shape.

Step 5: Null Object

Open layer, New, Null Object. Null is an invisible layer, appearing as a small box on the screen, and does not render. It is used as a controller; later, other layers can be made children of the Null so they move together when the Null is moved.

Step 6: Adjustment Layer

Open layer, New, Adjustment Layer. An adjustment layer is empty, but effects placed on top of it apply to all layers below it. Apply the tint effect and lower the amount to tint to 60%. The beach, ribbon, text, and circle change together to become monochrome.

Done!

Done. We have now learned about footage, solid, text, shape layers, null objects, and adjustment layers. Complete with their respective icons and functions. In the next episode, we will learn about the 5 transform properties that almost all layers have. Need a promotional video, logo animation, motion graphics for social media, or visual effects for a short film? Cerdas Inovasi Digital provides motion graphics and visual effects services, as well as opens after effect courses from beginner to advanced levels. Want to master this entire series, 104 episodes from the interface to the final project? All episodes, complete with PDF step-by-step guides, source footage, and project scripts, are available for premium tutorial subscribers. Subscribe starting at 69 thousand rupiah per month, save 28% with the 12-month package, or pay once 999 thousand for lifetime access. Thank you for watching, see you in the next episode.

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Transcript

0:03Introduction

0:36Step 1: Footage Layer

0:54Step 2: Solid Layer

1:16Step 3: Text Layer

1:37Step 4: Shape Layer

1:54Step 5: Null Object

2:13Step 6: Adjustment Layer

2:35Done!

Ask the class material

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Questions & answers

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Transcript

0:03Introduction

0:36Step 1: Footage Layer

0:54Step 2: Solid Layer

1:16Step 3: Text Layer

1:37Step 4: Shape Layer

1:54Step 5: Null Object

2:13Step 6: Adjustment Layer

2:35Done!

Ask the class material

My notes

Questions & answers

Your instructor

Introduction

Step 1: Footage Layer

Step 2: Solid Layer

Step 3: Text Layer

Step 4: Shape Layer

Step 5: Null Object

Step 6: Adjustment Layer

Done!

Introduction

Step 1: Footage Layer

Step 2: Solid Layer

Step 3: Text Layer

Step 4: Shape Layer

Step 5: Null Object

Step 6: Adjustment Layer

Done!