Bug With Masked Layers that Prevents Layer Dragging in Preview Window -- Detailed Repro Steps

[vinegarshots]

If a mask is applied to a layer, and then scale keyframes are added to that layer, the ability to use the Selection Tool to click and drag the position of that layer within the Composition Preview Window breaks. Strangely, the effect of this bug is also dependent upon the position of the layer on the timeline. The bug's severity increases the farther to the right the layer is positioned in the timeline. 

So, for example, if the layer begins at the start of the timeline, the click-drag on the layer in the Composition Preview Window works as intended. The farther you move the layer to the right in the timeline, the smaller the active clickable area is in the Composition Preview Window, and instead of dragging the layer when you click on it, it drags the mask instead. 

I've attached a video showing the bug in action. Up to :33 seconds, you see the expected behavior. After :33, you can see that the Selection Tool can no longer drag the layer and instead drags the mask. 

AE 25.1, Windows 11. Tested in AE Safe Mode with all plugins disabled. 

[JohnColombo]

Hi @vinegarshots,

Thank you for reporting this issue. We are able to reproduce on our test systems as well.

This looks extremely similar to another issue with Masks when a layer is scaled: https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects-bugs/pen-tool-bug-on-layer-w-animation-aae-25-0-1/idi-p.... We've got a ticket open to investigate that issue, so we will add this repro case to that investigation as well. 

Thanks again for reporting this bug,

- John, After Effects Engineering Team 

  

[vinegarshots]

Thanks for the reply and looking into it!

One other thing I forgot to mention is that the range of values between the scale keyframes seems to be a factor in the bug as well -- for example, if the inital keyframe is 0% and the second keyframe is 100%, then the bug will trigger if you follow the other steps as I originally outlined. However, if the initial keyframe is 50% and the second keyframe is 100%, it doesn't appear to trigger the bug.