Which keys are used
To playhead, Clone, Reverse, Stretch, frame nudges, Math and Thin share these rules.
- Select individual keyed properties or their keys in the Timeline. Selecting a layer or property group alone is not enough.
- If any eligible unlocked property has selected keys, only selected keys are targeted. Other selected properties with no selected keys are left alone.
- If none has selected keys, keys within the work area on the selected properties are targeted. Keys at either boundary are included.
Locked layers are skipped. A mixed selection can still run on unlocked layers. Success messages report skipped locked layers separately.
| Action | Different selection rule |
|---|---|
| Stamp | Selected properties that can take keys, including unkeyed ones. Uses the playhead. |
| Bake | Selected properties with enabled expressions. Uses the work area. |
| Separate | Layers identified by selected Position properties, otherwise selected layers. Uses their whole Position animation. |
Stamp and Bake skip a combined Position property that is already separated. Select its axis properties instead.
Main panel
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
| To playhead | Moves the group so its earliest key lands at the playhead. |
| Clone | Copies the group so its earliest copy lands at the playhead. Selects the copies. |
| Reverse | Mirrors key times within the group’s overall span and swaps incoming and outgoing easing, interpolation and spatial tangents. |
| Stretch | Scales timing by the saved percentage around the group’s earliest key. Drag horizontally to choose and apply a percentage. |
| −1f, +1f | Move targeted keys backward or forward one composition frame. |
| Stamp | Writes the pre-expression value at the playhead on each eligible selected property. |
| More, down chevron | Opens the drawer. Click again, click outside it or press Escape to close. |
Move, clone, reverse and stretch use one shared earliest and latest time across all targeted properties. They do not align each property independently. Timing edits retain values and supported key attributes. Moved keys remain selected. Each action is one undo group named Keymaster: <action>.
Keys at the destination
When a moved or cloned key lands on an existing key of the same property, the arriving key writes at that time. After Effects cannot keep two keys on one property at one time. Use an empty destination if you need to preserve both. Surviving keys away from the destination keep their stored attributes.
More drawer
| Control | Action |
|---|---|
| Stretch | Applies the percentage beside it. See retiming. |
| Math | Runs the chosen operation and axis on numeric key values. See changing values. |
| Thin | Removes keys using Redundant or Every Nth. See reducing keys. |
| Bake | Samples enabled expressions at the chosen frame interval. See baking. |
| Separate | Splits Position dimensions, using the Keep path choice. See separating Position. |
The settings reference lists all fields, choices, limits and defaults. Choosing an operation, axis, thinning mode or toggle saves the choice without running the action.
Modifiers and keyboard input
| Gesture | Effect |
|---|---|
| Alt-click To playhead | Aligns the group’s latest key. |
| Alt-click Stretch, in either place | Uses the playhead as the pivot. |
| Hold Alt when releasing a Stretch drag | Applies the displayed percentage around the playhead. |
| Shift-click either frame nudge | Moves ten frames. Labels show −10f and +10f. |
| Right-click the main Stretch tile | Opens the drawer for an exact percentage. |
| Enter in a drawer number field | Saves the number and runs that row’s action. |
| Leave a drawer number field | Saves a valid number without running the action. |
| Escape in a drawer number field | Discards the uncommitted entry and closes the drawer. |
| Enter or Space on the focused main Stretch tile | Applies the saved percentage. Alt chooses the playhead pivot. |
Alt is Option on macOS. Cmd and Ctrl do not add alternate Keymaster actions.
Feedback and previews
Hover diagrams use up to eight distinct key times, with spacing adjusted to keep the diamonds readable. They are illustrative, rather than a scaled Timeline. Without key data, they show three example diamonds. Hovering does not edit keys.
The hint line shows the selected-key count or the count in the work area when space allows. Selection data refreshes when you return focus to the panel, enter the tool, open the drawer or finish an action. Move the pointer back into Keymaster if the hint is stale.
Action buttons are disabled while an operation runs. More remains available. Success produces a toast and, where there is room, a brief count badge. Thin counts removed keys; Bake counts written keys; Separate counts the resulting axis keys. Small slots shorten badges to a number. Refusals may show No comp, No keys, Locked, Nothing to do or Check value beside the longer message.
Slot sizes
Keymaster supports half-width and full-width slots, with a configured minimum of 200 × 112 pixels. It rearranges the controls as the slot changes shape. Text labels and the hint line hide when space is tight. All eight main controls remain available.
A compact half-width slot keeps the four timing tiles together. Hover over an icon for its label and gesture hint.
A taller slot can stack the timing actions vertically. The smaller controls stay beneath them.
A short full-width slot spreads the timing actions across the width. The same commands and modifiers apply in every layout.