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Lars22434368glxn
Participant
Dec 29, 2021 2:10 PM UTC
Answered

Preview not centered within composition window

I'm working in After Effects 2020.

My preview playback is off-center within the composition panel and I don't know how to fix it.

I'm sure it's an easy fix but I am completely new to this program.

James3188963022g3Correct answer
Participant
Oct 23, 2023 9:05 PM UTC

Double click Hand tool while the preview window is selected.

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7 replies

mark_4637
Participant
Jul 30, 2025 4:30 AM UTC

If this solves the problem, Edit/Preferences/Previews/ then at the middle botto of the window catalogue, switch the behavior to "Centered".

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James3188963022g3Correct answer
Participant
Oct 23, 2023 9:05 PM UTC

Double click Hand tool while the preview window is selected.

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    Christian33552079by3b
    Participant
    Nov 12, 2023 1:41 AM UTC

    that actually works perfectly thanks

    suprisingly easy

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      nishu_kush
      nishu_kush
      Legend
      Dec 30, 2021 4:13 PM UTC

      Hi Lars22434368glxn,

       

      Sorry for you issue.

      What's the exact version of After Effects you're using? Also, what are your system specifications (CPU, GPU, RAM, OS)?

      Let us know, we're here to help.

       

      Thanks,

      Nishu

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      Jose Panadero
      Community Expert
      Jose PanaderoCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Dec 29, 2021 2:28 PM UTC

      Enter into Adobe After Effects Preferences > Display. Deactivate Hardware accelerate composition, layer and footage panels. If this solution doesn't work, go to After Effects Preferences > Import and deactivate hardware acceleration for decoding video. Then Go to Edit > Purge > All Memory and Disk cache and restar After Effects.

       

      Other thing you must check is your graphics card driver. Check if you are using the latest version.

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      Lars22434368glxnAuthor
      Participant
      Dec 29, 2021 4:36 PM UTC

      Tried the preferences suggestions. Don't think it's a memory cache purge thing because it was doing it the very first time I opened the program and before I had saved/played anything.

       

      Why would a graphics card cause this kind of issue? The preview is playing correctly but it is off-center within the composition window. In other words, I can see it playing but only the left corner. 

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