Changing comp frame rate causes UI freeze/lag in specific files

[Mike Choo]

Issue - In specific AE files changing the comp frame rate causes the UI to freeze/hang for typically between 2 and 10 seconds.

After Effects version - Beta 24.0.0 Build 44

Operating system - Win 10

Steps to reproduce - In the file Template-v01 open the example comp Aspect Ratio Guide-1920x1920. Open composition settings then change the frame rate using the dropdown or typing into the box.
Expected result - The frame rate dropdown will update and the UI is instantly responsive.

Actual result - In Template-v01 the UI will hang for a short while. In Template-v02 the frame rate changes without impacting the UI. Please note that in the Template-v01 file I have had inconsistent results with creating a new comp and attempting to repro this issue.

Notes - If I remember correctly I imported the original Template-v01 file into a new blank document, and the issue did not appear in that file. My thought is that this is possibly related to saving the template file up a version (e.g. Beta v24)

[jenkmeister]

You can "work around" the lag by turning off the Preview checkbox in the Comp Settings window. What's happening is that AE is creating all the new frames (or removing them if you're going to less FPS) and that process can take some time depending upon the content of the composition. The more layers you have, especially with shapes, the longer that can take. With Preview turned off, those frame changes won't occur until you click OK. 

That said, I'm opening a bug internally for us to look at speeding this up. 

[Mike Choo]

Perfect, thank you. I'd never even noticed the 'preview' checkbox before!

That seems to solve it for now, many thanks 🙂

[AtaurRaziq1]

I have been struggling with this for a while. The Preview checkbox helps a bit but this was never an issue in years prior, I've only noticed this in the last year. A composition with say 50 layers will take 5-15 seconds to switch from 60 to 25 fps. Preview unchecked shaved a couple seconds off but this is still very disruptive to workflow. Just some extra context to help your internal processes

[JohnColombo]

Hi @Mike Choo & @AtaurRaziq1,

This performance issue was fixed in the 24.1 version of After Effects, released in December 2023. Have you noticed an improvement on your end in this scenario? Please let us know if you continue to experience any issues with updated composition frame rates in version 24.1 or later.

Thanks again for reporting this issue,

- John, After Effects Engineering Team  

[Mike Choo]

Hey John,

Thank you for the update - I have to say that I have not noticed this issue coming up at all, so from my side I'd say the fix has done the job!

Cheers,

Mike

[AtaurRaziq1]

Hi @JohnColombo, yep completely fixed now. Beautiful. I think it's more seamless than it's ever been to change comp framerates now. Great work guys.

My attention has since been taken to another issue, the Render Queue tab. It takes quite a while to show up, maybe 3 seconds, be it whether I hit Ctrl+M or Ctrl+Alt+0.