I think you'll find the answers above. Deleting the preferences as described above.   That would probably do the trick.  Now, I will say that sometimes when it doesn't connect that shutting down encoder, AE, ensuring they are not still running in task manager does often also do the trick.  If more than that is required then I'd delete the preferences.    Or do all of the above can't hurt and a complete reboot is a good idea as well.   Eric ... View more

Thanks Nishu, I have done that as matter of course and not sure it helped.  I will however try again and get back. I just launched AE and it asked again, however it did at least open the project.  I just would hope I don't need to sign in each time I launch.   Eric ... View more

This is good to hear because I've also been having this issue so will do updates to encoder as well as the new AE 17.1.  Very good news. ... View more

The RAM preview is far from perfect, not the best for a complete review.  Usually small segments BUT, your system is a main contributor on that, like how much RAM you have available but also the type effects.  Some effects suck up resources so bad, you almost can't do a preview without turning them off.  Like motion blur for example sucks the life out of things so if there are parts that have major effects that you do not need to really see as part of your preview, try turning them off. ... View more

I've seen the occasional issue where it's lost the dynamic connection to After Effects.  I'm thinking you covered everything if you shut down AE, restarted, etc but sometimes the media encoder needs to be restarted manually.  By that, I mean go to task manager and if it's running, shut it down. Then restart AE and try again.  Your error could indicate something else but it's worth a simple try. ... View more

I agree with Rick.  Free Form Pro is definitely worth it.  I did this credit sequence for a film a few years back using FFP.  So here's an example of what you can do.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SdjvzpU__M   Eric ... View more

This sounds like a reinstall.  If it's not too much trouble can you reinstall AE or maybe even better, if you don't have the most current update, perhaps that will kick it in gear. ... View more

Can you provide a screenshot in the AE project window?  I wonder if it's just the collapse transformation that needs to be check boxed. ... View more

That is obviously not normal but it's also something I've never seen.  It almost sounds more of a system issue than an Adobe issue.  Have you tried closing AE and seeing if it will prompt you to save the project? ... View more

I've also seen instances with this as well as AE where they won't start/load.  In many cases, a CTRL/AL/DEL, task manager and you will see an instance still runnning.  Close that down and it fires right up when you try again. ... View more

Did this work for you? Should be window/workspace/reset to default.   Eric ... View more

Welcome to after effects Rusty.  🙂   ... View more

Same question but I'm going to guess you meant to say "the audio is NOT there when I preview....".  Question.  Has it been there before with this same footage?  Does audio work on other footage or does this currently affect all footage?  Sometimes, it's as easy is reloading the footage (or replace with same clip so all effects remain).  But I have seen an instance where the audio only had one channel (left or right) and if your system does not play in stereo, it could very well be playing and not hear it.  ... View more

You should be able to toggle down the <Dashes and see it.  ... View more

This is definitely the easiest choice. The VC ORB plugin mentioned above is also free, provided by VideoCopilot and takes it to another level.  It does look like your image above is a flat image (I'm guessing - or it just has no shadow) so you will want to get an image map and apply CC Sphere.  Other than that, it's as simple as Rick describes, one just larger.  Andrew Kramer has a tutorial for both, using CC Sphere as well as his new ORB plugin. ... View more

Thanks. I did understand the question, but wanted to also get clarification because it doesn't appear to be at 22 frames. That aside, as the next gentleman asks, more information, images, etc would be helpful. ... View more

This stops precisely at 22 frames?  Your timeline would indicate something longer.  The cursor appears (best I can see) at like 30 seconds and the arrow about half that, so roughly 30 seconds. ... View more

What Rick said.  Facebook destroys every single thing you upload.  Can't stand it myself but there's no way around it.  Between that and making those square videos, it's quite annoying and I presume they want to keep themselves efficient and use less space. Here's the best solution, for pic upload, well, it is what it is but for video, NEVER use their upload.  It's best to paste a youtube video or something because the resolution is maintained. Eric ... View more

Since you parented the camera to the null, I presume you are using the NULL to do this zooming and so forth right?  ... View more

Hard to tell for sure but I also wonder if the format of videos is even correct.  It says quicktime video (not sure if that's accurate) but AE doesn't even play a lot of those anymore.  May need to convert the video. ... View more

Can't say for sure but it is there for a purpose.  You might be able to navigate through settings and find something that says, hey don't tell me when you find a problem...or to that effect.  Error notification of some sort.   Maybe not. But, what I have a hard time figuring is why it was removed which is the reason for the error.  Reinstalling will add it back and situation solved. The other way to get rid of it is to just click ok and move on.  I think getting "bored" of something that is there to serve you a favor is probably the wrong approach. Any pop ups can be annoying so the simplest answer, already stated is to reinstall.  Or even update might do it. Eric ... View more

As noted earlier, fonts can act weird.  I see you compare it just to Arial but have you compared to a couple others to just ensure it's that particular font?  Then if so, perhaps delete it and reinstall or find another version of that font? I suppose the simple answer is choose a different font so not sure how determined you are to use that one. Eric ... View more

I think we will need quite a bit more info to better understand what you are trying to do.  Turning part of a video black in white isn't too tough but even that depends on what part. For example, if you want the left half color and the right half black and white, an adjustment layer would work.  But, if you mean, select parts OF the video that require some roto, more difficult. Eric ... View more

I think it also depends on what you are doing and how often. Those that do tons of still imaging editing and are comfortable with using photoshop for sure would use photoshop.   I've used AE numerous times however to cut out or really, rotoscoping is what we're talking about here. And it's been perfectly successful.  Far more capability in photoshop and you guys have more expertise in that than I.  ... View more

I wouldn't disagree with you there at all. My response was based on the presumption that he already did the cut out in After Effects. ... View more

Thanks for the screenshot. I do see that you have "video" in the search window though.  Unless I'm seeing something wrong. ... View more

Looks like you are making progress.  Maybe a bit much on the feathering around her head.  Don't feel too agitated, it can be overwhelming.  YouTube is your friend though.  Pretty much any beginner thing you need is there. Eric ... View more

Have you tried to refresh the presets? And search for an effect maybe?  Like search corner pin or Bezier warp? Eric ... View more