paint tool not working

[_Helen_Capstick_]

Hey everryone!

I was wondering whether anyone could help me in this matter, I am quite puzzled to why the paint brush isn't working in after effects, whether I don't have the right setting or i'm pressing the wrong thing I don't know, sorry if this sounds like an easy question to some, anyone know where Im going wrong?

tb Helen

[Todd_Kopriva]

Are you painting in on a layer in the Layer panel as described in the "Work with paint tools and paint strokes" section of After Effects Help?

In general, you'll get better answers to questions about what you might be doing wrong if you tell us what you're doing.

[jorzheemah30746690]

It is still not working. Apparently, when I double click it, it is not a "LAYER" it is a "FOOTAGE PANEL" and I think that can be the problem. Do you guys have any idea how can I change the footage panel into layer panel? Note: even if the file is only jpeg, or even if I add new solid layer, when I double click, IT IS STILL  a "FOOTAGE" layer. Really need your help.

[billingo29051443]

Solved. Drag the layer from the project panel down to your timeline then double click it.

[Roland Kahlenberg]

Double-clicking a media asset in the Project Panel will always open the Footage Panel with the media asset displayed.

Double-clicking a Layer in the Timeline provides different results and is dependent on the type of layer you apply the double-click on. If the layer is a normal layer (not a nested composition) then the Layer Panel will be invoked and the layer will be displayed. If the layer you double-click is a nested composition, then the nested composition's original/source composition will be invoked. If the layer being double-clicked has its Collapsed Transformation or Continuously Rasterize switch enabled, then double-clicking on such a layer does nothing. This is the case since AE prevents such layers from appearing in the Layer Panel.

Further, if you select any one of the following tools, Refine Edge, Rotobrush or Paint and you double-click on a layer, even a nested composition, the Layer Panel will appear. Off course such layers must not have their Collapsed Transformation or Continuously Rasterize switch enabled.

AE's Preferences allows you to change the default behavior, as I've delineated above. The highlighted area below shows the relevant, default settings.

[yeecat]

it soloved my problem!great!

[jaydude-wb]

Layers do not exist in the Project panel, only in Compositions / Timelines.

[David_Wigforss-Hv1BNN]

Paint works as follows. Select layer, Apply Effect/Paint, double click layer (go in layer view), ctrl-b (change to paintbrush), paint away.

If you want to see the entire comp to paint on, you need to precomp the layers, and paint on the precomp. Doesn't work in comp view.

[bunniec32161197]

Go to the Window menu and near the bottom check Layer.  In my case, it was there already, but was a very thin vertical strip to the right of the Comp layer. Stretch it from right side if this is the issue to view full area. 

[bunniec32161197]

correction above: Stretch from left side

[Guest]

ctrl+b = beware.

it also changes to other brush options...maybe the clone tool or eraser is invoked?

my guess = layer window.

[_Helen_Capstick_]

Hi

thanks for replying. I don't know how to select the layer in the bottom window. I have selected the composition in the project menu and the main window in the middle. after I select the paint brush and press on the screen the colour doesn't appear. Sorry if I sound daft, I don't have much confidence with this program.

thanks

Helen

[_Helen_Capstick_]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your input. I managed to master the paint tool,I think where I was going wrong was selecting the wrong panel. I have learned that for the paint brush to work, I must drag a solid layer into the layers panel, make sure the layers panel is selected then select the paint brush then double click on the composition panel to make it active for painting. Painting can be made into an animation using the timeline which is what I did. Using the arrow tool after this can alter the brush properties.

Thanks again

Helen

[Guest]

I don't know about "dragging" - I suppose you could do that. Usually the easiest way to get to the layer window is to double click the layer in the timeline.

Double-clicking the layer in the timeline (or using ENTER (not "Return")) will open the layer window for you automatically if you don't already have it open.