Anchor Positions

Each position maps to a point on the layer’s content bounds as reported by sourceRectAtTime.

PositionLabelAnchor placement
Top-lefttlLeft edge, top edge
Top-centertcHorizontal center, top edge
Top-righttrRight edge, top edge
Middle-leftmlLeft edge, vertical center
CentermcHorizontal and vertical center
Middle-rightmrRight edge, vertical center
Bottom-leftblLeft edge, bottom edge
Bottom-centerbcHorizontal center, bottom edge
Bottom-rightbrRight edge, bottom edge

When you click a position, Anchored sets the anchor point and adjusts the position property so the layer stays in place. This works on multiple selected layers at once and handles separated position dimensions and 3D layers.

Content Bounds

Anchored places the anchor using sourceRectAtTime, which follows the visible content of the layer rather than the transform bounding box. This means the anchor point aligns with what you see on screen, not the layer’s raw dimensions. For text layers, shape layers, and other dynamically sized content, this gives more predictable results than transform-based placement.

Adaptive Layouts

Anchored switches layout based on the panel’s aspect ratio. All five layouts provide the same nine anchor positions, just arranged to fit the available space.

Grid (Default)

At roughly square proportions, Anchored shows a 3x3 dot grid. The center dot has a ring to distinguish it. Click any dot to set the anchor position.

Split Row

At wider panel sizes (wider than 2:1), Anchored switches to a split-row layout. Each button shows an icon with a rectangle and dot indicating the anchor position.

Row

At very wide proportions (wider than 4:1), all nine buttons line up in a single row.

Split Column

At taller proportions (taller than 2:1), Anchored uses a vertical split layout with the center button above a compact grid.

Column

At very tall proportions (taller than 4:1), all nine buttons stack in a single column. This is useful when docking Anchored in a narrow sidebar.

LayoutAspect ratioAppearance
GridDefault (roughly square)3x3 dot grid
Split rowWider than 2:1Center button plus a 2x4 button grid
RowWider than 4:1Nine buttons in a single horizontal line
Split columnTaller than 2:1Center button plus a 4x2 button grid
ColumnTaller than 4:1Nine buttons in a single vertical line

In grid mode, the center position is marked with a ring around the dot. In button modes, the center position uses a softer color.

Layer Support

Anchored processes each selected layer individually. If a layer type does not support anchor point manipulation (such as certain guide layers or locked layers), Anchored skips it silently and continues with the remaining layers. You will not see an error for skipped layers; only the supported layers will update.

Settings and Modifiers

Anchored has no settings panel and no modifier-key variants. Every click does the same thing: set the anchor point to the clicked position on all selected layers. This simplicity is intentional.

Error States

Anchored shows a toast notification for two error conditions:

  • No active composition. Open or select a composition before clicking.
  • No layers selected. Select at least one layer in the timeline.