How to Freeze Frame in After Effects (3 Easy Methods)

Need to pause the action in your video for dramatic effect or just want to hold on a single moment? Freezing a frame in After Effects is a handy trick that can help with timing, storytelling, or even exporting stills for thumbnails.

There are a few different ways to do it depending on what you need. Let’s walk through the most common methods

1. Use Time Remapping

Time Remapping gives you full control over when and where your footage freezes.

Here’s how:

1. Select your clip in the timeline.
2. Right-click and choose Time > Enable Time Remapping.
3. Move the playhead to the frame you want to freeze.
4. Click the keyframe icon next to Time Remap to create a keyframe.
5. Move forward a few frames or seconds, copy the newly created keyframe and paste it again

Now your footage will freeze between those two keyframes.

2. Apply a Frame Hold

If you just want one frame held for the rest of the clip, this method is faster.

Steps:

1. Right-click on your clip in the timeline.
2. Choose Time > Freeze Frame.

This will automatically hold the current frame for the duration of the layer.

3. Export a Still Frame

Want to save one frame as an image? Here’s how:

1. Move the playhead to your desired frame.
2. Go to Composition > Save Frame As > File.

1. In the Render Queue, choose your format (usually PNG or JPEG).
2. Click Render.

This gives you a high-quality still image from your comp, great for thumbnails or reference shots.

Conclusion

Freezing frames in After Effects is easier than it sounds once you know where to look. Whether you're using Time Remapping for full control, applying a quick Freeze Frame, or exporting a still image, each method has its place depending on what you're trying to achieve.

Try them out and see which one fits best with your workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a freeze frame?

You can make a freeze frame by enabling Time Remapping, setting two identical keyframes at your chosen point, then deleting any others after it. This holds that exact frame during playback.

How do you freeze position in After Effects?

To freeze position, add a Position keyframe at the desired time, then duplicate it across later frames so there's no movement between them. This locks an object’s location over time.

How do I save a still frame in After Effects?

Move your playhead to the desired frame, then go to Composition > Save Frame As > File. Choose your format in the Render Queue and click Render to export it as an image file like PNG or JPEG.

How do I freeze frame in Adobe?

In Adobe After Effects, right-click on your clip and select Time > Freeze Frame or use Time Remapping for more control over when and how long it freezes during playback.