Can't resize switches column

[BibbidiBobbidiBob]

Problem:

I'm unable to resize the switches column. To be more accurate, I'm able to resize it, but the minimum width lets a lot of space on the right side.

The problem occures only with this one. The other columns don't have any empty space (marked red in the image)

What I tried:

Hovering over the intersection between two timeline columns at the top of the timeline, the mouse cursor changes to a double-ended arrow, I drag to the left until the column width doesn't change any further.

Resetting the preferences and uninstalling (with deletion of the preferences)/reinstalling of After Effects.

Expected result:

Being able to reduce the size of the column to the first switch on the right side, so that there is not this much free space.

I don't want to get rid of the switches entirely, just of the free space next to them.

[BibbidiBobbidiBob]

One other important information: it happens on both my desktop pc and my laptop

[thepixelsmith]

There is a very difficult to see verticle line to the right of the layer switches header. It is just to the left of where the timeline starts and is a slightly darker grey than the rest of the workspace. I put a little red square whre I saw it in your screen shot. I had to zoom in a lot to even see it though. When your cursor hovers over it you will get a double-headed arrow.

[BibbidiBobbidiBob]

Thanks for trying to help but as stated in my first post, I already tried this but "the column width doesn't change any further". This is the minimal space I get. I know about this lines existance and can see it clearly but no matter how hard or how far I drag the double arrow to the left... unfortunately noting changes. I can make it wider though. So it moves (also stated in my post) but the minimal width is wrong.

Any other ideas? What I don't understand is that resetting the settings doesn't change this strage behaviour. Maybe some files that I need to delete manually?

[thepixelsmith]

Not sure then, the only way I could replicate the appearance you have was with that line.

You could try resetting the workspace Window>Workspaces> Reset "" to Saved layout but I don't think that command can reset the column widths and when I revealed the other columns that could be there they each had a header to tell you what was visible.

Sorry

[BibbidiBobbidiBob]

Resetting workspaces or switching between them is somethin I actually haven't tried yet (although I assume deinstalling AE completely would get rid of it). But no luck. The problem occours in every (default) workspace.

Here's a GIF to illustrate what I described

Thanks for your suggestion anyway 🙂

I'll dig further and let you know when I find anything

[BibbidiBobbidiBob]

Update:

I tried turning off syncing of the settings before reinstalling now as I was suspicious that maybe old currupted settings are synced after reinstalling. No success.

[thepixelsmith]

This is so strange. 

What happens if yo change your screen resolution? Does it affect the amount of space there?

[BibbidiBobbidiBob]

Unfortunately not. Neither on my PC with multiple screens of different resolution nor on my laptop where I tried out different resolutions and scalings. The space remains.

[koljae4216091]

I did have and still do have the same problem - on all of my current and recent Macs (iMac 2012, Mac Pro 2013, Mac Studio 2021) in all After Effects versions. Haven't found a solution yet.

[BibbidiBobbidiBob]

I also had this problem on a Mac I had at work but only occasionally and I think I was able to fix it there temporarly by maximizing the timeline panel (I'm not sure about that though and can't verify because I don't work there anymore and do not own a Mac myself). But yes, for me this also occoured and occours on different devices and OSs (maybe I'm one of the very lucky ones or other people don't notice or don't care this much about this problem)

[koljae4216091]

Maximizing the timeline panel didn't help for me...

[chfilm]

I have the same super frustrating Issue here on my macbook- very annoying when you have so little screen space and cant even fully use it because of this bug.

[Tim264439620q4a]

I found the solution! It depends on the language you use. In my case it was german and after changing the language to US English i finally were able to change the size to the REAL minimum.