After Effects On the Spot[c] Time-Saving Tips and Shortcuts from the Pros

We want to let you in on a secret blending modes. Oh sure, you've probably heard of them but do you use them? Not just twice a year like the fine china every job, every project, every comp, all the time? Pros live for blending modes the artistic possibilities are incredible. Blending modes are fast, easy, and powerful they are also woefully mistreated and underused. Please join our crusade to restore blending modes to their proper place in the After Effects design hierarchy.

A Mode by Any Other Name

Depending upon manufacturer (and even version number), blending modes may go by other names . They may be called layer modes, composite modes, apply modes, or transfer modes. All have the same meaning. It doesn't matter what you call blending modes, just that you use them.