Layer switches and columns in the Timeline panel

Many of characteristics of a layer are determined by its layer switches, which are arranged in the Timeline panel in columns. By default, the A/V Features column appears to the left of the layer name, and the Switches and Modes (Transfer Controls) columns appear to the right, but you can arrange columns in a different order. (See Columns.)

To show or hide columns in the Timeline panel, click the Layer Switches , Transfer Controls , or In/Out/Duration/Stretch  button in the lower-left corner of the Timeline panel. Press Shift+F4 to show or hide the Parent column. Press F4 to toggle the Switches and Modes columns.

The results of some layer switch settings depend on the settings of composition switches, which are in the upper right of the layer outline in the Timeline panel.

Quickly change the state of a switch for multiple layers by clicking the switch for one layer and dragging up or down that column for the adjacent layers.

Jeff Almasol provides a script on his redefinery website that creates a panel with which you can save and restore the layer switch settings for all layers in a composition.

Switches in the A/V Features column

Video 

Toggles layer visuals on or off. (See Toggle visibility or influence of a layer or property group.)

Audio 

Toggles layer sounds on or off.

Solo 

Includes the current layer in previews and renders, ignoring layers without this switch set. (See Solo a layer.)

Lock 

Locks layer contents, preventing all changes. (See Lock or unlock a layer.)

Switches in the Switches column

Shy 

Hides the current layer when the Hide Shy Layers composition switch is selected. (See Show and hide layers in the Timeline panel.)

Collapse Transformations/Continuously Rasterize

Collapses transformations if the layer is a precomposition; continuously rasterizes if the layer is a shape layer, text layer, or layer with a vector graphics file (such as an Adobe Illustrator file) as the source footage. Selecting this switch for a vector layer causes After Effects to rerasterize the layer for each frame, which improves image quality, but also increases the time required for previewing and rendering. (See Render order and collapsing transformations and Continuously rasterize a layer containing vector graphics.)

Quality 

Toggles between Best and Draft options for layer quality for rendering, including rendering to the screen for previews. (See Layer image quality and subpixel positioning.)

Effect 

Select to render the layer with effects. The switch does not affect the setting for individual effects on the layer. (See Delete or disable effects and animation presets.)

Frame Blend 

Sets frame blending to one of three states: Frame Mix , Pixel Motion , or off. If the Enable Frame Blending composition switch is not selected, the frame blending setting of the layer is irrelevant. (See Frame blending.)

Motion Blur 

Toggles motion blur on or off for the layer. If the Enable Motion Blur composition switch is not selected, the motion blur setting of the layer is irrelevant. (See Motion blur.)

Adjustment Layer 

Identifies the layer as an adjustment layer. (See Create an adjustment layer.)

3D Layer 

Identifies the layer as a 3D layer. If the layer is a 3D layer with 3D sublayers—as is the case for a text layer with per-character 3D properties—the switch uses this icon: . (See 3D layers overview and resources.)