Skip to main content
Ms110168
Ms110168
Participant
March 16, 2025
Answered

After Effects won't show preview of Png image in the Composition Panel

  • March 16, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 1143 views

Hi all,

No matter what I try I can not get an image to show up in my Composition Panel.

 

It appears in my timeline as a layer just fine. But I can only see the handles for it in the Composition Panel while the image itself remains invisible. I tried the following ideas to troubleshoot so far:

 

  • I tried multiple ways to import it. (File>import vs. drag/drop)
  • I tried dragging it directly onto the timeline vs. dragging it directly into the timeline layers.
  • I tried importing different file formats (.png and .psd)
  • I tried re-saving the image and giving it a different name. 
  • I tried changing the image into a comp and dragging that onto my timeline.  
  • I made sure the timeline layer is not locked or hidden.
  • I tested the image in a different file and it worked fine. 
  • Everything else on the timeline previews fine — except this image. 

 

My computer is fine. Mac Studio / M2 Ultra / 64 GB Ram / 4TB SSD

 

I attached screenshots below.

Can anyone help with this issue? Many thanks for your time and feedback!

 

 

 

Correct answer Ms110168
Hi Warren,

It turned out to be a corrupt comp within the file. I copied all the layers out of the comp and pasted them into a new one. That solved the problem.

Thanks so much for these suggestions!

Mark

2 replies

ToolfarmJP
Community Expert
ToolfarmJPCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 18, 2025

The file you mention seems *.PSD, not *.PNG. If the file has multiple layers, you flatten it and save it.

 

Warren Heaton
Community Expert
Warren HeatonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 18, 2025

@Ms110168 

Flattening the layered PSD as @ToolfarmJP suggests is worth trying, but be sure to do so with a duplicate PSD file - not the original.

If transparency is needed, load it as a Selection and then save it to the first Alpha Channel in the PSD file prior to flattening the document.

Ms110168
Ms110168AuthorCorrect answer
Participant
March 18, 2025
Hi Warren,

It turned out to be a corrupt comp within the file. I copied all the layers out of the comp and pasted them into a new one. That solved the problem.

Thanks so much for these suggestions!

Mark
Warren Heaton
Community Expert
Warren HeatonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 17, 2025

Try opening the PNG in Photoshop, invert it (command i), invert it back, and then save.

 

Then try the resaved PNG in After Effects.

nishu_kush
Community Manager
nishu_kushCommunity Manager
Community Manager
March 17, 2025

Is this happening in a specific project? Are you able to import the same image in a new project and preview it in the Composition panel? If it's happening in the new project as well, please share the file with us to test. Feel free to DM me the file if you do not want to share it publicly.

Looking forward to your response.


Thanks,
Nishu

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices