Illustrator 2025 vectors pixelate in After Effects 2023 even with "Continuously Rasterize" ON

Question

Hey everyone, I really need help with this issue. I made a character in Illustrator 2025 (pure vector paths using Pen and Brush tools). I saved it as PDF-compatible AI file and imported it into After Effects 2023 as "Composition – Retain Layer Sizes". I’ve turned ON the &#9728;&#65039; (Continuously Rasterize) switch, set Resolution to Full, and even tried converting to Shape Layer — but it still pixelates when I zoom or scale. I’ve also tried:- Saving AI as 2020 legacy version- Using Mercury Software Only renderer- Disabling Intel GPU (using AMD Radeon R5 340 only)- Renderer settings, project color, etc. Even a simple circle test from AI pixelates inside AE.  My specs:- AE 2023- AI 2025- GPU: AMD Radeon R5 340 + Intel HD 530- Windows 10 Does anyone know how to fix this vector pixelation problem? Is  it a known bug with AE 2023 and AI 2025? (Attaching screenshots below)

Rick Gerard · Answer

Do you have Continuously Rasterized turned on? Are there any vector effects applied to the layers in Illustrator? Have you scaled the layers?

Your screenshot shows a magnification of 200%, which means every rendered pixel in the comp is actually 2x2 pixels, so one rendered pixel is 4 pixels on screen. Viewing at 100% to judge quality, or pushing in to 400% or higher to check horizontal and vertical line alignment with the pixel grid, is the best way to judge quality.

Because the background in your screenshot looks pretty good, my guess is that you have scaled up the Illustrator layers without CR turned on or you have effects applied to the layers in Illustrator that generate pixels.

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