Why is the 'fx' option missing from all layers in my composition?

[ZippyLomax]

Hello, helpful humans...

I posted about this yesterday – then again today. My post was marked as SPAM (though I'm told that's been fixed) and I fear no one is seeing my query. I'm beyond desperate at this point!

In my original post, I asked about applying text animation presets – I'm unable to do so and cannot figure out why. Since typing up that first question, I've also tried creating an entirely new composition, but I immediately see that – on the layer itself – there's still no box below 'fx' to toggle it 'on' or 'off'. 

This has gotta be one of those cases of...I accidentally bumped/clicked a thing and broke everything in the process. I imagine it's something suuuuper simple, yet I can find ZERO other posts about it, nor any mention of how to ensure the 'fx' option is selectable in a composition. 

Any ideas? Thank you, in advance, for generously taking time to reply. 

update: here are screenshots, of both my original post, and a glimpse of what I'm looking at in AE...

[Towerguy]

Hi. I looked at your post yesterday but could not enlarge the image you posted to see what is going on (it's a known problem with the new forum and, I hope, is being addressed). Your current link in this post is also not going to your original post!? Sorry to be the bearer of the news but better you know what the problem is I think.

[ZippyLomax]

yeah...they told me they'd moved my post 'back to AE' because there was nothing spammy about it, yet I can't figure out how to find that thread as it doesn't show up in my 'recent contributions'.

[Mike_Abbott]

I think you may need to post a screen shot of your timeline - pointing out what the issue is.

Text animators are different to effects. The former doesn't therefore have a fx switch. They do, however, have eye balls to switch off the visibility of the effect. Look for the eyball in line with 'Animator 1' or some such.

[ZippyLomax]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I did include that screenshot in my original post, which is part of why I imagined they'd marked it as SPAM....I'll try again...

ps – I added screenshots above!

[Mike_Abbott · Accepted solution]

Text effects are for actual text you've created with the text tool in After Effects.

It looks like you are trying to apply a text animator to an image of text. That won't work.

[ZippyLomax]

So...I need to recreate the logo, letter by letter, within AE, rather than bringing it in from PS?

[Mike_Abbott]

To use a text animator - yes.

[Mike_Abbott]

...but if the text was created in Photoshop, you could try selecting the layer and using the menu command:

[Mike_Abbott]

Layer > Create > Convert to Editable text. It may not be a perfect conversion, but it may get you started.

[ZippyLomax]

Guess not! That option is greyed out....

[Mike_Abbott]

Sorry - should have said that the Photoshop text needs to be imported as a Photoshop layer - not a png as you have.

[ZippyLomax]

Was just trying to figure out how to do just that. I dragged a PSD into the project, but it didn't preserve its layers. My lack of familiarity with AE is blatantly obvious right now!

[ZippyLomax]

Forehead slap! Now I feel like an idiot!

Is there a similar 'evaporate' animation for objects?

Oh! I'll try that. Thank you!

[Mike_Abbott]

See if there is anything under: Animation prsets > Transitions - Dissolves that suits.

I'm signing off now - it's the end of the day in my location on the globe : )  I hope this has helped, but if not I'm sure one of my colleagues will follow up...

[ZippyLomax]

Yep! Trying that, too.

You've been a tremendous help – thank you!