Align or distribute layers in 2D space

Use the Align panel to line up or evenly space selected layers. You can align or distribute layers vertically or horizontally.

Note: To align, you must select two or more layers; to distribute, you must select three or more layers.
  1. Select the layers to align or distribute.
  2. In the Align panel, click the button representing the desired type of alignment or distribution.
When you align and distribute selected layers, keep in mind the following:

  • An alignment option aligns selected layers to the layer that most closely represents the new alignment. For example, for right-edge alignment, all selected layers align to the selected layer that is farthest to the right.

  • A distribution option evenly spaces selected layers between the two most extreme layers. For example, for a vertical distribution option, the selected layers are distributed between the topmost and bottommost selected layers.

  • When you distribute layers of different sizes, the spaces between layers may not be uniform. For example, distributing layers by their centers creates equal space between the centers—but different-sized layers extend by different amounts into the space between layers.

  • Alignment or distribution options cannot move locked layers.

  • The Align panel does not affect text alignment.

To move selected layers so that their anchor points are at the center in the current view, choose Layer > Transform > Center In View or press Ctrl+Home (Windows) or Command+Home (Mac OS).
To align a single layer to the center or edge of a composition, begin dragging and then hold Ctrl+Shift (Windows) or Command+Shift (Mac OS) while dragging to snap to the center or edges.

Charles Bordenave (nab) provides a script on the After Effects Scripts website, with which you can distribute layers in 3D space.