20 Quick Fixes to Common After Effects Problems

Sometimes Afters Effects doesn't do what you want. Why is this happening? Where did this go? In this video, I'm breaking down the most common issues. These frustrating problems can have really simple fixes, this video is for beginners who want easy solutions to those problems and to avoid some headaches.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:13 - 1. Why is my motion path doing this?
01:14 - 2. Why is my shape path morph doing this?
02:08 - 3. Why is my anchor point not on my shape layer?
02:36 - 4. Why is the pen tool not drawing a mask?
02:59 - 5. Why can't I see my shapes in the composition window?
03:19 - 6. Where are my columns in the timeline?
03:36 - 7. Why can't I see my layers in the timeline?
04:16 - 8. Why can't I see my animation anymore?
04:37 - 9. Why are my vector layers blurry & pixelated?
04:56 - 10. How do I edit my shape path?
05:31 - 11. How do I edit my Gradient fill?
05:57 - 12. Why isn't set matte working?
06:31 - 13. Why are my effects not working on masked layers?
06:55 - 14. Why do my renders have such a huge file size?
08:29 - 15. Why won't my animation preview?
09:00 - 16. Why isn't my file importing properly?
09:43 - 17. How do I make After Effects open a corrupt file?
10:00 - 18. Why do my 3D renders not look right?
10:31 - 19. How do I fix other After Effects issues?
11:25 - 20. Why is my After Effects project an absolute disgraceful mess?
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►Music:
Massive thanks to madmomentsgo for providing that amazing music for my intro!
check out his other brilliant work here: bit.ly/2ER0bJF
"Magic Scout - Farm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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~ God bless Kevin ~

[@LC-yo3bj]

This video should be preloaded into every new composition by default. You could make a 9,000 video series about dealing with issues in after effects, brilliant content sourcing. I'm sure it will never get fixed so infinite job security.

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, @Adobe this a great suggestion

[@BunkerMountain]

For real!

[@rezaldievergreen5266]

Ben Marriot is like one of those Motion Graphic professors that is actually funny and knows how to tell a joke without being cringy. Love it!

[@BenMarriott]

Oh I've got a bunch of cringe in my catalog I could direct you towards, haha. Seriously this comment has just extended my life by at least 3 weeks. I might come asking for a testamonial

[@idiotDB]

the second problem with the keyframe movement between two static keyframes has been annoying me for ages, thank you!

[@JunYouko]

Preach

[@mpbMKE]

Funny how we'd expect linear keyframes to behave linearly!

[@vCarpo]

ooh man the sound effects you used here were so nice and chilling, good choice.

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks friend! :D Glad you like the sounds. I really love sound design and definitely want to put more effort into it :)

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Several of these are specific questions I’ve had and not been able to figure out. Massively helpful. Thanks!

[@SteakstixAnimations]

This channel continues to be the biggest lifesaver. Thank you, Ben!

[@AndrewMontpetit]

Really appreciate you making this video, and it's super helpful. I had particular and fairly regular trouble with the first point (and had some unsatisfying work arounds), but all the tips were really helpful. It's amazing how small changes can radically change your workflow.

[@ReMii912]

I've learned some of these answers struggling by myself and it was so frustrating lol it's so thoughtful of you to share these solutions for beginners. Thank you so much! It was so helpful

[@PlanetADiM]

The very first step has solved a problem that's lead to tears countless times. Thank you, Ben!

[@timsaunders8679]

This is unreal! The amount of phantom movements between identical keyframes has driven me mad! You're a hero Ben!

[@_hunu]

Everyone just starting out in After Effects should see this, a lot of wasted time and long winded tutorial content boiled down nicely. I knew some of this stuff, but the first few tips like turning off auto bezier and the first point thing were valuable tips to me. Thanks a lot.

[@AlanMitchellCollins]

Although I’m familiar with many of these, you definitely had some new info regarding default settings and I’m super thankful for you! Keep these coming!

[@jacobjones8698]

I put this video on and your first tip solved a problem I've had for years. I've spent so many hours and keyframes trying to iron out that weird movement between two of the same keys. I've liked, subscribed, hit the bell, and I'm now writing a handwritten note to the CEO of KZbin to ask they rewrite the algorithm to prioritize your videos. Thank you so much for this.

[@RaoniLima43]

Your content is incredible, I love all these "quick and often forgotten" tips... So helpful!! Thank you for doing these !!!

[@gibo8753]

Omg fixing the interpolation problem (of the bouncing) from the preferences changes EVERYTHING. I always tell my students to find it in the keyframe interpolation inside the drop down menu. By now I watch these tutorials even to fall asleep to, nothing sweeter. Thanks as usual Ben.

[@ryan-paxton]

I am a fulltime After Effects animator in the industry for 12 years now. I figured this would be a video where I knew the fixes for everything on your list. To my surprise you had one that has plagued me for the past few years, and I just tried your fix. #15! It works. Unbelievable. It's an audio device issue. Insane. Normally I'd just do a quick relaunch of AE if this weird bug showed up. Now that I think about it, the time it began started around when I started using auto-connecting bluetooth studio headphones for my office. I turn them on and off as needed throughout the day, so now I'm going to see if the issue correlates with the default audio device disappearing.

[@emnersonn]

EXACTLY. #15 is a godsend

[@darius-hollard]

Some of those i knew, but the rest are real time savors ! Thanks again Ben, you're an inspiration

[@jonkyjenk]

This is so helpful, I already knew most of these tricks but I just love listening to your voice and that transition sound effect. Thanks Ben!

[@infininoodle]

Thanks so much, man! I was struggling with a rendering issue that I literally couldn't find anything about on Google, but clearing the cache seems to have fixed it! You're a life saver!

[@gustavosaliola]

I hated and almost quit used "Set Matte" with shapes until this video's tip! Thanks a Zillion!

[@bananabike279]

THANK YOU for these tips!! The shape path issue especially has been driving me nuts lately... This helps so much, once again thank you SO MUCH!!

[@academicalartfreak]

That first vertex problem was driving me crazy! Thanks, Ben, you're the best!

[@SajewichActor]

You and @jakeinmotion are blessing us with some vital videos! Thank you

[@BenMarriott]

I'm honored to be mentioned alongside the GOAT. :)

[@motioneddie]

man i love you!! really, this videos are fantastic. These are everyday problems that not a lot of people know how to fix and you wont get an easy answer to fix them or complex solutions to get rid of them.

[@jamestaylor2958]

Hey Ben! Thanks for this! I've learnt the answers to these things slowly over the last ten years. SO useful to have a vid that goes over it all to send to new colleagues.

[@DontForgetTheDroids]

I've learned more from this channel than my 4 year degree at a major university (and it's not even close). Thank you, Ben!

[@GlennKarlsenCurlyfied]

Seriously! Just watched the first tip. And you have saved me SO much time making the spacial thingy linear! God i wish i knew this earlier! Thanks Ben! :D

[@chaztoons]

Hey man I got an animating job recently, and I just wanted to say that your tutorials are a huge part of why I felt like I could do it and how I continue to improve my deliverables at work!! Really appreciate all the work you do for this channel, and you should know that your content and teachings have had a very real impact on a lot of peoples lives in a positive way!!

[@BenMarriott]

Glad I could help! :)

[@galgor]

I'm just starting out in after effects and your videos are so damn good I'm just watching them to pick things up that I'm yet to even experience. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@juantoledo5248]

This video was awesome! Such a nice, quick and simple refresher. Your content is still bang-up. Best of wishes, mate.

[@noicerone]

Finally! solutions for most problems in one place. Thanks for this video, Ben.

[@rintinrina]

This came at a perfect time. I really needed this. Thanks!

[@BenMarriott]

Glad it arrived just in time :D

[@NZMPlays]

Youre a godsend Ben, this is going to help me so much on just starting out with AE, the possibilities seem dauntingly endless but your channel and experience helps tremendously

[@bobbihansel]

I wish I had this video in my life 10 years ago :) Great stuff Ben, you truly are one of the best creative tut channels on YT, thank you good sir!

[@steverh13]

super helpful! As an AE newbie these workarounds are terribly difficult to figure out on your own.

[@richardsjones273]

It's funny how you can be working with a piece of software for 20+ years and still, occasionally learn some new tip or trick you were unaware of. Never stop learning.

[@AlexandreOliveira-gy5qe]

Amen!

[@advres]

Same. Been living in the app since 2000 and I never knew of the first vertex. I feel so dumb not knowing that. lol

[@ivanso1978]

Loving your videos! informative and to the point! Thank you!

[@nesir82]

This is the best beginner-friendly tutorial I have ever seen!

[@obv_design9310]

Oh my, this video like a holly grail! I found so many answers! Thank you so much, Ben!!!

[@AkaHaakon]

Really good content, and also some neat new tricks! I haven't seen a lot of people comment about the 15th issue, but it was a headache for me for ages. A quicker approach is to just change the latency (like switching between 150 and 200). I think it has something to do with the computer going into sleep mode.

[@badartist3192]

As per usual, awesome vid! Thanks Ben!

[@calebsoaring]

This is brilliant. All the little things that are always a problem but were too afraid to ask (or were to minute to get advice about)

[@jfmezei]

HI knew about some of the problems and how to solve, but for many I haven't experienced yet, your tricks are quite valuable and a big time saver for when I do experience them.

[@kubamatuszczak5619]

Great and entertaining stuff as always! Definitely a godsend for people starting out. In my opinion one of the most commonly overlooked processes (not mentioned here) is properly collecting all the crucial assets and reducing unused stuff within the project file. Paired with some useful tips on working with Photoshop files (naming layers, using Smart Objects and pros and cons of importing as Footege vs Composition) could work as a good basis for an another similiar video. After all, there's nothing worse than being given a botched project to work on, am i right? :D

[@hebronlaal92]

Very Very useful for beginners and even for some experts.. Thankyou very much... Brilliant!! This small things u hav told.. makes fast finishing project.. Keep doing this.. Much appreciate 👏

[@berkaysaylam1745]

I connect my laptop to my monitor and work on two screens. If my monitor goes standing-by and i reopen again, my after effects prewiew wasn't working. Your solution on 08:30 definetly worked for me! You're a lifesaver, thanks Ben.

[@EdaliaDayCreative]

Oh my god. The shape layer anchor point tip was amazing! I had not idea you could do that. Had to open AE and set it immediately so i don't forget.

[@johnwright7679]

This is amazingly helpful. Thank you!

[@blinn40x]

SO GOOD, as always - thanks Ben!

[@DenixPro]

the biggest problem I've been having with AE is the first mentioned fix in this video... You're a lifesaver Ben

[@dphandle_]

Nice summary, thanks!

[@howardsend6589]

Great stuff. Perfect hangover cure watching this. 👍

[@youcraigtube]

So much information in the shortest amount of time and in the long run, save you a ton of time.

[@themysteriousunknownrevealed]

OMG the purge worked! I've never seen a frozen layer before... It was there... Visible, couldn't move it, wasn't in the timeline, but there it was, as bold as brass. And there's nothing anywhere that tells you what it is or how to fix it. Thank you!

[@ricosolo3478]

Holy moly Ben! Tip 1, 2, 15 are the things nobody ever tells you. Cheers mate!

[@maipardhan]

Dear ben. I started in mographs due to your videos. Thank you for sharing your goodness. You're dope and humble, an endangered species!! Take care

[@justine3658]

Really helpful! I've been having these exact problems at work and this video just makes the load lighter :D

[@hafizhprasetyo1460]

Wow great 30 sec into the video i already know how to solve my problem since i started using after effect a year ago (motion path problem), thank you so much ben !

[@user-im2ou9oc9v]

OMG you just opened my eyes. Thank you so much!

[@nathangoddard7757]

Great tips! I wish I had this video when I was in college!

[@hikimjess]

Soooo helpful! Thank you Ben :D

[@ndrsgmz]

This is GOLD tier content, thanks!!

[@WiLDeveD]

Awesome Tip !!! especially 1st one. thanks

[@vaughngaminghd]

New to AE, and find many things about it buggy, strange and/or counter-intuitive. Thanks for putting this up, it helps a lot to understand what is going on and why!

[@Thomas-gx3ti]

Haha, the Continually Rasterize checkbox has been there right in front of my eyes all this time :'D Knew most of these already, but some were really extremely helpful. Can imagine how much this video would have sped up my workflow a couple of years ago! Great work! :)

[@robotoxx]

this simple fixes to after effects problems are soooooo necesary! thanks

[@seannemetz4856]

Thank you so much for this one, Ben! Ae has done a terrible job at making this software user friendly in some areas and not explaining how/why things work. This video will be referenced time and again!

[@renderize69]

Thanks for the tips! from Beginner users to Advanced users, everyone's suffering from some of these problems. Thanks for the solutions!

[@MysteryPancake]

These are really great tips! It might be worth mentioning precomping often fixes common issues involving stacked effects

[@andydreadsbmx]

It's also import to mention that continuously rasterizing a precomp does not always give the desired effect.

[@Guillamon]

Very good tips and tricks!! thanks for sharing! :D

[@genevieverapounzelle]

I would "Super" like if I could! These tips are some of the things a beginner would want to know when they start navigating a first project! I know some of these mindboggling things made me question my sanity when I started, and it would take me a while to figure out before being able to continue my work. I would share this to anyone I know who is getting started in AE!

[@TauxFox]

YES, the last tip is my favourite! Nothing more frustrating than opening a disorganised AE Project! Gotta get that pretty rainbow of organisation.

[@Arisevideo]

OMG, yes! I encountered the exact issue you named at 6:22. How annoying. Your solution is exactly what I was looking for.

[@user-xs1rw4ph6n]

that's the best video of your channel! Thank you man🤜

[@nishantgupta7928]

1 and 3 were so useful to me. I have been stuck with since I started. Never knew you could change it in preferences.

[@nicklipsing]

Thank you, very helpful!

[@OrikzHD]

thanks a lot man, I've come across a lot of these and it's hard to find answers most of the time.

[@caiocosta6669]

I've had some of these problems before. Thanks!

[@BenMarriott]

Glad it could help :)

[@davidtuck]

THANK YOU, thank you...I thought I was stuck with Auto- Bezier as default forever !! This honestly has made me so happy..

[@victor-carpentier]

Man .... You just helped sooo much ... Thank you Ben !

[@dollarproduction24]

You are amazing! These techniques are so helpful to us.

[@minimation_net]

You're my hero Ben! Thanks!

[@ToxicMetropolis]

Super helpful. Thanks.

[@alcinnovations]

Superb list of tips. 15 out of 20 were directly useful to me and in some cases I did not even know those features were open to edit. I had just accepted them :P

[@RickyMartinVideos]

Thank you Ben. This will save hundreds of stresses.

[@Madlight]

OMG i was struggling with the first one and didnt know how to fix until i saw your video, TYSM bro you saved my life

[@MarianaQuesada]

OMG the mask on the shape layer!!! *tears of joy* thank you! Great to know about the corrupted file solution too.

[@munkyflux]

Great video all of these are really useful! Another one i use alongside the anti-aliasing is to also convert AI files to vector in AE this allows you edit everything in it as a shape layer. It works great as long as theres no effects applied to the AI file and its just general shape layers. I mainly use overlord to take things from AI to AE these days though as it keeps everything clean and layered with the naming conventions in tact it also keeps text as a text layer too!

[@paulayeung2370]

Thank you this is so helpful! I wish I had watched this when I started learning AE and saved myself some stress 🙂

[@YameMars]

perfect video! thank you Ben

[@knallkoko]

You are saving me sooo much time! I can't thank you enough for these secrets!

[@SiHargreaves]

Ooo needed this one for sure!

[@OFGAnimationStudio]

Very important problems that we should handle. Thank you Ben

[@darko.v]

5:14 - You don't have to de-select, just hold shift and click on the point you want to edit :D Great tips for everyone.

[@The_Villi]

Brilliant, Thanks Ben!

[@vickychan7527]

Really really helpful! Save a lot of time!

[@KYOTWO]

Awesome video! Thank you

[@iquinn]

always delivering! 🙏

[@alexdib3915]

Center anchor by default.. yes please. Great video thank you!

[@brepazil]

Holy mother of god, i work with Ae about 8 years from now and some of this tips would definitely save my mental health, no every heroe uses cape. Thank you Ben Marriot