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charlie_Medc
charlie_Medc
Participant
April 27, 2026
Answered

The rotobrush tool is missing from my most recent update v26.2.1. It is in the prior version 25.6.5

  • April 27, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 3432 views

 

    Correct answer JohnColombo17100380

    Hi ​@charlie_Medc,

    In AE 26.2, Roto Brush has been replaced by the Object Matte tool. Full details on the new tool can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/object-matte.html. Object Matte has much more accurate selection and propagates the selection much faster than the previous Roto Brush.

    Cheers,

    • John, After Effects Engineering Team

    3 replies

    desighur
    desighur
    Participant
    May 7, 2026

    Why change it?? Roto Brush was great

    Nishu Kushwaha
    Community Manager
    Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 7, 2026

    ​@desighur Roto Brush is still available. It’s now part of the Object Matte tool. When you apply Object Matte to your footage, you can choose between different Roto Brush/Object Matte versions in the Effect Controls panel.

    Hope it helps. Let me know if there are any other questions.

     

    Thanks,

    Nishu

    JohnColombo17100380
    Community Manager
    JohnColombo17100380Community ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    April 27, 2026

    Hi ​@charlie_Medc,

    In AE 26.2, Roto Brush has been replaced by the Object Matte tool. Full details on the new tool can be found here: https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/object-matte.html. Object Matte has much more accurate selection and propagates the selection much faster than the previous Roto Brush.

    Cheers,

    • John, After Effects Engineering Team
      O
      OliviaHazel
      Participating Frequently
      April 27, 2026

      Most likely it’s just hidden or not in the right context:

      • Double-click your clip → opens Layer panel (Roto Brush only shows there)
      • Press Alt + W (quick shortcut)
      • Click & hold the selection tool → check if it’s tucked under there
      • Or reset workspace: Window → Workspace → Reset
      charlie_Medc
      charlie_MedcAuthor
      Participant
      April 27, 2026

      Thanks for the quick reply. Pressing Alt + W at least restored the Selection tool, but when I click and hold these are the four tools that appear:

       

      Resetting the workspace did not help.

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