---
title: Make your first composition
description: Create a composition, add a text layer and save the project as an .ecproj file.
order: 10
verified: 0.9.2
---

Choose **Composition ▸ New Composition...**, set the size, frame rate and duration, click **OK**, then add layers from the **Layer ▸ New** menu. Shortcuts below use Ctrl on Windows and Linux. On macOS, use Cmd.

## Steps

1. Choose **Composition ▸ New Composition...** (Ctrl+N). On the Home screen, click **New Composition** instead.
2. In the dialog, type a **Composition Name**. The default is `Comp 1`.
3. Pick a **Preset**, or set **Width**, **Height**, **Frame Rate** and **Duration**. The presets include `HDTV 1080 24`, `UHD 4K 25` and `Social Media Square · 1080x1080 · 30 fps`.
4. Click **OK**. The composition opens in the Composition panel and the Timeline.
5. Choose **Layer ▸ New ▸ Text** and type your text. A text layer appears at the top of the Timeline, and its name follows what you type.
6. Add more layers from **Layer ▸ New**: **Solid...**, **Shape Layer**, **Null Object**, **Adjustment Layer**, **Light...** and **Camera...**.
7. Choose **File ▸ Save** to save the project.

Projects are saved as `.ecproj` files. An `.ecproj` file is readable JSON, so it also works with version control.

## Change the settings later

Choose **Composition ▸ Composition Settings...** to change the name, size, frame rate or duration. The dialog has **Basic**, **Advanced** and **3D Renderer** tabs.

To keep a size and frame rate for later, click the **+** button next to **Preset** (**Save Preset…**) and name it. Your presets are listed above the built-in ones, in this dialog and in **New Composition...**. To remove one, select it and click the bin button (**Delete Preset**).

## Learn in the app

The in-app tutorial **Animate a title** walks through a similar title animation. To open it, choose **Help ▸ In-App Tutorials...**.

## Next

[Animate with keyframes](animate-with-keyframes.md).