After effects, Layers do not seem to show

#1

Hi can anyone help me,

I’ve looked around for lots of tutorials and nobody seems to have this simple problem.

When I create a layer in CS5 it dosnt show the layer. Just a box - usually black.

So, lets guide you a bit through the problem.

I load after effects up.

I click on new composition - I leave all the settings as default.
I click ok.

(It dosnt matter what back ground color I select, the screen is always black when I have clicked ok).

No matter what I do from here nothing happens.

If I click the txt Icon and type something, no matter what color txt I select it cannot be seen.
If I then click the selection tool a box appears around where the txt should be so it is definitly there - but no matter what color I select this is what happens.

If I then click on new layer (again leaving everything defaulted) I get a new layer but I just get like a wireframe X across it.

This happens no matter what I do.

The only way to change this is if I mess around with the roto brush and then go back to the original compisition box I can see my txt against a white and grey checked background!

The ‘eye’ is showing on the timeline.

Can anyone help because ive been trying to use it for 2 days like this!

Thanks in advance.

#2

Maybe your graphics drivers need to be updated?

As far as for when text layers cant be seen, I would make sure you reset the character options. Sometimes text will be much bigger than it should be and wont even appear in the text field.

Wireframe X’s are generally caused by unregistered plugins, (Like trapcode)

Mostly it sounds like your system or AE may be in need of some updates or a reinstall.

#3

It sounds like you’ve put the Composition panel in Wireframe view mode.

The reason that using the Roto Brush tool makes a difference is that using the Roto Brush tool forces the Composition panel out of Wireframe mode.

I’m going to guess that this happened because you’re new to After Effects and you started choosing menu commands and clicking buttons just to see what they did. The problem is that doing that can get you into situation like this one.

I recommend beginning here and working your way through the getting-started materials:
http://blogs.adobe.com/toddkopriva/2010/01/getting-started-with-after- eff.html

It’ll save you a lot of headaches later.

By the way, the Roto Brush tool is actually one of the trickiest and most advanced features in After Effects. I strongly recommend against using it until you’ve familiarized yourself with the basics.

#4

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.