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Adobe After Effects

Create a new solid layer

CtrlY

Windows Desktop app After Effects desktop, default shortcuts

Practice this

In Adobe After Effects, Ctrl + Y will create a new solid layer. On a Mac, press Cmd + Y instead.

Where it works: Composition open

Every documented variant

Variants of this shortcut
System	Environment	Keys
Mac	Desktop app	`CmdY`
Windows	Desktop app	`CtrlY`

Where this comes from

Keyboard shortcuts in After Effects

Documentation checked on 2026-09-14. That is a documentation review, not a test run inside the application.

More Adobe After Effects shortcuts

Create a new null layer Cmd + Option + Shift + Y
Create a new adjustment layer Cmd + Option + Y
Select the next layer Cmd + Down arrow
Select the previous layer Cmd + Up arrow
Show or hide the switches and modes columns F4
Show or hide the Parent column Shift + F4
Open the settings for the selected layer Cmd + Shift + Y
Paste layers at the current time Cmd + Option + V

See every Adobe After Effects shortcut

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