Cryptomatte stops working randomly

[Christian Ludvigsen]

Having issues with randomly not being able to make cryptomatte selections, the cursor simply doesnt change as it should when cryptomatte effect is selected. This can happen in projects which have worked well for days and suddenly it breaks and then i stays broken.

Furthermore Im having trouble gettin cryptomatte working in already established AE projects - its like I HAVE to make my comp with the cryptomatte effect as one of the first comps in a project - otherwise same issue - cursor doesnt change when cryptomatte effect selected.

My cryptomattes are generated with 3dsmax and vray and Im quite confident they are containing correct data its just the effect inside AE which stops working.
Any ideas how to fix this?

[nishu_kush]

Are you still having the issue? Let us know.

I am moving this thread from Bugs to Discussions for now.

Thanks,

Nishu

[cheryls98988222]

I'm having the exact same problem. My cryptomatte files worked great and then just stopped. Now they don't do anything. I can't select or deselect anything. Were you able to resolve your issue?

[cheryls98988222]

I'm having the exact same problem. My cryptomatte files worked great and then just stopped. Now they don't do anything. I can't select or deselect anything. Were you able to resolve your issue?

[Christian Ludvigsen]

only workaround to me is to open a completely fresh ae project, make the cryptomatte in there. import that project into the real project and then it works in the imported projects comps ( until it stops working again at some point 😕 )

[nishu_kush]

Do you mind sharing a screen recording that shows the problem? Also, a collected project that repeats the issue would be really helpful for us to reproduce the issue in-house. Feel free to DM me if you don't want to share it publicly.

Thanks,

Nishu

[cheryls98988222]

There's nothing to record. THe cryptomattes import and work as needed and then just stop and you can't select or deselect. I don't know what to do. My job is on the line. I've triend in AE 2024 and in AE 2023. i want to install ProExr but can't download it anywhere now that it's integrated. 

[cheryls98988222]

Thanks for the response. Oh my goodness this is so frustrating. I have several comps all needing cryptomattes. it work at first but then just stops altoghether. I don't know what to do. Appreciate your input. 

[cheryls98988222]

THANK YOU CHRISTIAN! Your workaround tip is saving me! It's the only thing that has worked. Hours upon hours of spinning my wheels only to have Cryptomattes break every time. I have dozens of scenes all requiring cryptomattes and I was completely stuck. I thought I had tried everything. Thank you for posting your solution and replying back to me so promptly. I appreciate you!  I hope Adobe can work out this bug. It's maddening!

[RenderKick]

I'm also encountering this issue. I've found if you double-click the layer it will open a layer preview tab, from which you'll then be able to select your elements as usual (with the cryptomatte cursor). If you then go back to your comp tab and change the cryptomatte effect's output to "Matte Only", you'll see a matte of your selected elements. Weird bug. I've only encountered it since installing the Topaz Video AI plugin but that could just be a coincidence.

[-stev=o]

Thanks, @RenderKick. This did help. Although, after trying to open the layer in the footage window and layer window, initially, cryptomatte didn't seem active. However, closing those panels and trying again resulted in the behavior you mentioned without having to import into a new project file. This is using both latest beta and production release (05/17/2024). 16bpc EXR sequences, only 3 additional channels. Zip compression on the EXRs, are you compressing your EXRs as well? I do not use Topaz Video, so I doubt that's it. 

cc @cheryls98988222 @Christian Ludvigsen @nishu_kush @Ruper3d @fnordware 

[-stev=o]

also, Windows 11, updated drivers, etc.

[Ruper3d]

345 / 5.000

Same problem for me, with my after 2024.4 I updated my video card drivers and Windows drivers and I still have the same problem. Import only the cryptomattes and try to select them and After Effects will stop working. A friend of mine opened the same cryptomattes with his After Effects 2018 and it worked great.

[fnordware]

This usually happens because you've swiched off Show Layer Controls in the View menu, which is the same as the Toggle Mask and Shape Path Visibility button in the comp window. You need it on (and the Cryptomatte effect selected) for the clicks to go through.

[Christian Ludvigsen]

omg I think you're right - haven't tested my old files where it seemed to be broken - but the behaviour when pressing ctrl+h in a fresh project is exactly what I experienced previously... if this is the case I will send you a MEGAPINT of redwine 🙂

[Andre35225264ex8i]

you got it! thats the solution!

[Goran edit room]

Was pulling my hair over this and you are absolutely right, thanks!
I use that hide and show toggle shortcut all the time when animating.
Not totally intuitive that it should affect selecting the mattes though.