PrP - Basic Editing - Adjustment Layers

Owned by Nikola Mateja
Last updated: May 08, 2024
4 min read

Adjustment Layers allow you to apply the same effect to multiple clips on the Timeline. Effects applied to an adjustment layer affect all layers below it in the layer stacking order.

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There are multiple ways to create an Adjustment Layer.

 

  1. Navigate to File > New > Adjustment Layer.

OR

  1. In the Project Panel right click on an empty space, go to New Item and select Adjustment Layer.

OR

  1. In the Project Panel click on the square paper icon in the right bottom corner (see the attached picture) and select Adjustment Layer.

A window will pop-up.

It will automatically set the size and frame rate of the Adjustment Layer to match your current sequence, however you can change the values if needed.

Click the OK button to create the Adjustment Layer.

The newly created Adjustment Layer will show up in your Project Panel.

Its duration will automatically be set to 5 seconds, however it can be easily changed (see below). It’s a clear layer on which you can put different effects or Lumetri adjustments.

 

If you can’t see the project panel, go to Window > Project > Select your current project.

Drag and drop the adjustment layer onto your timeline and position it above the clips you want it to affect.

You can make the Adjustment Layer as long as you want by clicking (a red bracket should appear) and dragging the end of the clip until it is your desired length.

The Adjustment Layer can be above multiple clips and will affect all of them.

Now you can drag and drop different Effects from the Effects Panel onto the Adjustment Layer. All of them will appear in the Effects Control Panel (make sure to have the Adjustment Layer selected) where you can adjust them.

You can learn more about Effects HERE.

To add Lumetri Effects to your Adjustment Layer, click on it on the timeline and navigate to Lumetri Panel. Any changes you make within there will be assigned to that layer and will affect any footage that’s below it.

You can learn more about Lumetri Effects HERE.

 

As you can see, now the video layer under the Adjustment Layer with the Twirl Effect on is affected by it.

 

You can create multiple Adjustment Layers on top of each other but keep in mind the layer stacking order - each layer on top will affect those below.

 

If you don’t want a particular element (footage/graphic/text, etc.) to be affected by it, put it above the Adjustment Layer.

Now all of the Adjustment Layers will only apply to the bottom clip while the top one stays intact.

 

For easier navigating, you can change the names of your Adjustment Layers accordingly to your needs.

Right-click the clip and select Rename…