🚀 go-pugleaf

Though I�ve had AE7 for some years, I�ve never really done that much with it. My animations have been simple enough, that Premiere Pro2 has been adequate. I use Keyframes in it, plus several other programs, and can zip through the more simple animations.

Now, I find myself with a much more involved Project, and am attempting to do more in AE, than ever before. I am obviously overlooking something basic - just adding Keyframes. I�ve gone through the manual, �Classroom in a Book,� �AE7 Studio Techniques,� and F1. Adding the initial Keyframe is easy. Adding a Keyframe, where a value changes is automatic. Fine, so far. Maybe it�s that I�m trying to incorporate Keyframe aspects from other programs, or that I am just blind and dumb.

I�ll set up an example from the Project, with just Effect>Motion>Position, and tell you where I have MY problem:

Composition is 00;01;55;00 long. I have my Asset, as .PSD in the Composition, and it�s sized as I wish, so Scale =100%. I want to hold the initial Position for 05 sec., so I move the CTI to 00;00;05;00 and click the �Stopwatch� to place my Position Keyframe at that point. Good. From that point, I want to re-position my Asset and have this take place over 10 sec.. CTI to 00;00;15;00, and adjust my Position, as is required. Good. I then wish to hold that Position for another 10 sec. (as I will Keyframe other aspects). CTI to 00;00;25;00. I want the same Position, as the previous Keyframe. In my Position track, I do not have the ● in my ◄●► array. It�s greyed out. Not good. I can convert my last Keyframe to a Hold Keyframe, and then add the new one, but as I want to Ease In & Ease Out for all of the positional Keyframes, so I convert from Hold Keyframe back to regular, then use the Keyframe Assistant. I could also scrub the Position numerals, but invariably, I have to then have made note of the exact position and type it in, as scrubbing back and forth is seldom accurate enough to get it back, exactly where I want it.

In the appendix, under Shortcuts>Keys for Modifying Keyframes (page 658 printed manual), under Add, or Remove Keyframe: Atl-Shift �property display shortcut.� OK, I�ve been unable to find what the �property display shortcut� refers to. While the add Keyframe button is greyed out, is disconcerting, as I�d expect that it would be active, when the first Keyframe has been added to the Timeline. BTW, this is the exact same for my workstation and my laptop. The only thing in common between the two is 4GB RAM and XP-Pro (32-bit) SP3, so I do not think that I have a problem with the installation, though maybe I have missed something in Preferences, or elsewhere.

Can someone tell me:
1.) what I�m missing
2.) what the �property display shortcut� refers to, so I can use the Alt-Shift combo to add a Keyframe

Sorry for such mundane and probably elementary questions, but I�ve been doing far more work to just add some Keyframes, than I think is necessary. If PrPro can do it with the Add Keyframe button ●, why does it seem so hard in AE7?

Thanks and I cannot wait for my "DUH!" moment,

Hunt