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edraconus
edraconus
Participant
May 12, 2026
Question

When double clicking I layer am getting a new window beside the composition window

  • May 12, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 6 views

Havent used after effects for awhile, when I doubled clicked before it use to fill the window with anything else going to a tab. Now it opens a new window beside the composition window which makes it small I dont need to see the composition window just what I am working on.

 

    1 reply

    Nishu Kushwaha
    Community Manager
    Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 12, 2026

    Hi there,


    Thanks for reaching out.

    It is expected behavior that when you double-click a layer in After Effects, it can open the Layer panel/source viewer in a separate tab or window instead of staying in the Composition viewer. The Layer panel is used for things like masks, paint, roto brush, and viewing the original source independently from the comp.

    Also, if this behavior suddenly changed recently, check whether a Paint/Roto Brush tool is active. Those tools can force double-clicks to open the Layer panel instead. If you want the composition tab to open when you double-click a comp in the Timeline, double-click it with the Selection tool active.

    Let me know if it helps.


    Thanks,

    Nishu

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