### Compositions All After Effects projects are organized into **compositions and** **sub-compositions,** which are stacked in the order of their visibility, with higher compositions appearing in front of lower ones. Compositions may be shapes, images, movie footage, text, effects, or adjustment layers. The visibility of compositions is controlled by opacity (transparency), composition size, masks, or an alpha channel. ![[Pasted image 20260606130558.png]] *Compositions in the Projects Panel and the Timline Panel* ### Layers **Compositions** are made of **layers**, which are stacked in the order of their visibility, with higher layers appearing in front of lower ones. Layers may be **solids**, **shapes**, **images**, **movie footage**, **text**, **effects**, **adjustment layers**, **nulls** or even other compositions (known as " **nested compositions** "). The visibility of a layer is controlled by **opacity** (transparency), **size** (pixel dimensions), **masks**, **alpha channel**, or a **matte**. ![[Pasted image 20260606130603.png]] *Layers in the Timeline Panel include compositions, solids, imported Illustrator layers, nulls, and adjustment layers* ### Carrot ">" Twirl ``` Twirl the > symbol down to reveal the Layer Properties. After Effects hides many surprises behind carrot > symbols! ``` ![[Pasted image 20260606130608.png]] *Twirl the carrot to reveal more!*