RotoBrush not painting anything.

[errorexe3]

I'm new to after effects and I'm just trying to experiment with things to see how they react to footage. I've been trying to use the RotoBrush to select an object in my footage but even with the tool selected clicking in the video to highlight what I want just grabs the scene itself and moves it around. How do I fix?

[Peru Bob]

If you are using a pen, see here:

Unexpected panning or scrolling in some apps with pen after applying - Microsoft Community

[errorexe3]

I am not using a pen, I 100% sure I clicked something or there is a setting preventing me from using the tool properly but I don't know how to even start looking for the solution since the issue is so vague.

[Rick Gerard]

It is highly likely that you are experiencing user error. Type Rotobrush in the Search Help field at the top right corner of AE and study up on the tool. It is not intuitive. When I first came out I had no idea how to use it effectively and I've been using After Effects for 25 years.

If that doesn't solve the problem then we need a detailed explanation of your workflow, System and AE version down to the last decimal point, and some screenshots that show what you are seeing. There are just too many variables to make a guess. The most likely problem is that you are trying to use the Rotobrush tool in the Composition Panel. You should be using the Footage Panel. Even if that solves your problem please take some time to study up on how to use the tool. It's highly unlikely you will get a decent mask by just poking around in the UI.

[Con33950068bjcl]

Having same issue 5 years later- posting solution for anyone who has same problem. Double clicking the video in the timeline will fix the problem.