user10696: 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?

user6685: You can simply scale the layer (or a null object) to get something like:


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

Note: Also check if your OS supports HiDPI mode 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/


user6768: 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!

10696: <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>
 6685: <p>You can simply <strong>scale the layer (or a null object)</strong> to get something like:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/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>
 6768: <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>
