<p>You can simply <strong>scale the layer (or a null object)</strong> to get something like:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/GogUC.gif" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<ul>
<li>Click on the <strong>stop watch</strong> of the <strong>position</strong> and <strong>scale</strong> properties of the layer at the first frame (to enable the properties: <em>select the layer</em>, <em>hit</em> <kbd>S</kbd> <em>followed by</em> <kbd>Shift</kbd>+<kbd>P</kbd>)</li>
<li>Move 10-20 <strong>frames ahead</strong></li>
<li><strong>Scale</strong> your layer</li>
<li>Edit the position property or simply dragging the layer in the viewer to set the <strong>desired end position value</strong></li>
<li><strong>Sharpen</strong> the layer (<em>Effect Panel > Sharpen</em>)</li>
<li>Optional: Enable <strong>Motion Blur</strong> (for the layer and the composition property) </li>
</ul>

<p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ipzwgeth6j62xz4/Unbenanntes%20Projekt.zip?dl=0" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><strong>Project file</strong></a></p>

<hr>

<p><strong>Note:</strong> Also check if your OS supports <strong><a href="https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/HiDPI" rel="nofollow noreferrer">HiDPI mode</a></strong> for a better screenshot:</p>

<ul>
<li>HiDPI on Linux: <a href="https://blogs.gnome.org/alexl/2013/06/28/hidpi-support-in-gnome/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://blogs.gnome.org/alexl/2013/06/28/hidpi-support-in-gnome/</a> <br/></li>
<li>HiDPI on OSX: <a href="https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/48433/enable-hidpi-on-23-imac">https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/48433/enable-hidpi-on-23-imac</a><br/></li>
<li>HiDPI on Win: <a href="http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/chrome-high-dpi-mode/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/chrome-high-dpi-mode/</a></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-16T19:57:31.560Z
But should I export my composition first to a mov file, new composition and then do it or what? I've got about 30 layers and to all give them a new position/scale ain't fun.
Sander Schaeffer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-16T19:47:34.143Z
2015-07-30T07:40:22.497Z
2017-04-13T12:45:28.897Z
p2or
<p>Here's what I would do...</p>

<ul>
<li>Create a camera</li>
<li>Create a null object</li>
<li>Set the parent of the null object to be the camera</li>
<li>Make the null object a '3D' object</li>
<li>Use the null object's properties to zoom and move the camera around, e.g. use the 'z' position to zoom</li>
</ul>

<p>You could do this with the camera by itself, but the null object is sometimes easier to deal with. Ease in and out of the keyframes for a smooth animation. I hope this helps!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-16T19:24:00.907Z
Elegant answer! I was going to suggest animating the scale in Premiere.
BrettFromLA
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-16T19:33:40.277Z
Im sorry to ask, but could you make this a bit more beginner friendly? I started After Effects today and got quite an okay motion graphic already, but I haven't got a clue what you mean with a null object.
Sander Schaeffer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-17T14:54:50.433Z
Hey Sandy - Here's a tutorial video I just found on this process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9LyCYhv-w
I don't think he goes over the 'easing keyframes' I mentioned, but you should find a lot of resources on editing keyframes by doing a Google search for 'easing After Effects keyframe'.  I'm happy to help more if you have any other questions.
Calvin Gaunce
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-19T12:11:22.697Z
You need to make the null object a parent of the camera, not vice versa. Also, make composition 3D not only the null object.
Artem
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-16T17:11:42.137Z
2015-04-16T17:11:42.137Z
Calvin Gaunce
<p>I'm using After Effects to create a Motion graphic and I would like to make the animation zoom in on a specific point, do something and then zoom out again. </p>

<p>To clarify what I exactly try to achieve: I'm animating a browser and I would like to zoom in on the URL bar, type an URL and then zoom out and work on just like before zooming. </p>

<p>One option is to scale all the visible layers, so it looks zoomed, but that's a strange way to achieve the zooming effect, I think.</p>

<p>What's your advice?</p>

<after-effects><animation><focus>
How do you zoom in (animated) on a portion of your canvas?
Sander Schaeffer
# How do you zoom in (animated) on a portion of your canvas?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-16)

I'm using After Effects to create a Motion graphic and I would like to make the animation zoom in on a specific point, do something and then zoom out again.

To clarify what I exactly try to achieve: I'm animating a browser and I would like to zoom in on the URL bar, type an URL and then zoom out and work on just like before zooming.

One option is to scale all the visible layers, so it looks zoomed, but that's a strange way to achieve the zooming effect, I think.

What's your advice?

**Tags:** after-effects, animation, focus


---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-04-16. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Here's what I would do...

* Create a camera
* Create a null object
* Set the parent of the null object to be the camera
* Make the null object a '3D' object
* Use the null object's properties to zoom and move the camera around, e.g. use the 'z' position to zoom

You could do this with the camera by itself, but the null object is sometimes easier to deal with. Ease in and out of the keyframes for a smooth animation. I hope this helps!

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Elegant answer! I was going to suggest animating the scale in Premiere.  
> **username_0**: Im sorry to ask, but could you make this a bit more beginner friendly? I started After Effects today and got quite an okay motion graphic already, but I haven't got a clue what you mean with a null object.  
> **username_2**: Hey Sandy - Here's a tutorial video I just found on this process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9LyCYhv-w I don't think he goes over the 'easing keyframes' I mentioned, but you should find a lot of resources on editing keyframes by doing a Google search for 'easing After Effects keyframe'.  I'm happy to help more if you have any other questions.  
> **username_4**: You need to make the null object a parent of the camera, not vice versa. Also, make composition 3D not only the null object.  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-04-16. Score: 3

You can simply **scale the layer (or a null object)** to get something like:

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/GogUC.gif)

* Click on the **stop watch** of the **position** and **scale** properties of the layer at the first frame (to enable the properties: *select the layer*, *hit* `S` *followed by* `Shift`+`P`)
* Move 10-20 **frames ahead**
* **Scale** your layer
* Edit the position property or simply dragging the layer in the viewer to set the **desired end position value**
* **Sharpen** the layer (*Effect Panel > Sharpen*)
* Optional: Enable **Motion Blur** (for the layer and the composition property)

[**Project file**](https://www.dropbox.com/s/ipzwgeth6j62xz4/Unbenanntes%20Projekt.zip?dl=0)

---

**Note:** Also check if your OS supports **[HiDPI mode](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/HiDPI)** for a better screenshot:

* HiDPI on Linux: <https://blogs.gnome.org/alexl/2013/06/28/hidpi-support-in-gnome/>
* HiDPI on OSX: <https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/48433/enable-hidpi-on-23-imac>
* HiDPI on Win: <http://www.tekrevue.com/tip/chrome-high-dpi-mode/>

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: But should I export my composition first to a mov file, new composition and then do it or what? I've got about 30 layers and to all give them a new position/scale ain't fun.  

---

