Sounds like a blending mode adjustment might do the trick but unsure exactly what you are doing. Eric ... View more

Rick of course has the right answer but if you cut it out in AE, just render as a png and be sure to select full size on render to at least keep it the size you began with.  Then import the png file back in to project. Making it larger, well, increase the size.  That simple BUT, you will lose resolution as you get larger, pretty standard among anything. When you say a different project, do you mean a different comp?  These are most definitely entry level skills but will try to help best I can. Just copy and paste the layer in to another comp or drag the comp in to another comp. Eric ... View more

I would just point out that the quality of GIFs may be an issue if you want high quality.  GIFs aren't exactly known for being stellar. ... View more

I've never seen that type thing.  Let us know if it remains after the purge. ... View more

It is hard to say on the limited info but be sure the frame rate matches too while you are checking things. I was going to suggest that maybe the visibility was turned off but you say you DO see video during RAM preview?  Not sure I understand the difference since RAM preview both renders and plays at the same time, albeit jumpy at first. ... View more

Just a question, when you say at first, half resolution and then full.  Are you meaning when in the viewer, set to half it looks fine and then when you change to full it looks like this?  OR, are you saying that it only looks bad when actually rendered out? I'm just curious about the viewer part first because I would think that changing from half to full would not have any issue. And of course, verify the video size as Jose mentioned.  It does look suspicious on the second image because the web does not even line up to where it should if it were to connect back to the hand. Eric ... View more

I use E3D a ton and honestly not familiar with texture filtering BUT, most definitely make it large from the beginning.  Then once you close the E3D interface, use your camera to zoom in and not just cursor zoom in which would be misleading.  The good thing is you can go and enlarge in the E3D interface and up the segments. I would also up the tessellation to extreme for best edges. I've never encountered that kind of blur. Eric ... View more

Great glad I could help.  We'll called this closed. Eric ... View more

I will second that.  Definitely need to use a plugin that will give you something 3D to push through, otherwise you'll have that depth issue. I'm sure there are ways to cheat it a little with 2D layers but it will always be noticeable. Particular would be a good choice but is a purchase item, as is Stardust. ... View more

Did this answer your question? ... View more

I agree, replace the entire ID card and track if necessary, then on the rack and focus just key frame the blur as appropriate.  The blur would be the easy part. I presume the shot is moving, if not all the easier. Eric ... View more

This is an interesting problem.  So, you left click normal and it won't select but if you left click and use CTRL as if you want to select several layers and it does? Pardon my asking and it's purely a guess but can you check the batteries on any wireless mouse and or keyboard? Sometimes those are finicky. Eric ... View more

Ok, so closing and reopening seems to provide a temporary fix.  Is it only this one comp?  Have you tried others? Hate to get in to the whole uninstall and reinstall recommendations since I hate that myself but I would see if it is centered on this particular comp/project.  If it can be isolated to that, then perhaps you can at least finish that one and move on. Eric ... View more

As you elude to, it is pretty common to see it slow depending on effects and length of time you are scrubbing but interesting that even when all layers turned off, it's slow.  Have gone through the usual routine of clearing cache and all that? I'd give that a shot. Eric ... View more

If you are referring to me, the fireball tutorial was intended to be a starting point to get what you want, I will recommend you use the vast resources on youtube.  I won't be able to get give a step by step on how to achieve the fireball that you want but I will help direct you to get there. Like I mention, the tutorial is a good place and if that one isn't good, search fireball tutorials for after effects on youtube.  There will be tons.  I found that one in a couple seconds. You will also want to become familiar with tracking procedures too if your intent is to do the same type of effect. If you have a specific question, I will try my best to answer. Eric ... View more

Are you planning to use stills like that or animate it from open to close?  I ask because I see there being a bit more to it than that.  Focusing purely on the top, you are going from a 2D image to what "appears" to be 3D as it closes. So, as Kyle describes, you have to create that animation to look like 3D as it begins to come down.  My initial thought on just the front plane is build it and simply pivot that from the bottom to close.  That little lip on the top that becomes exposed as you close the lid is what has to be built to increasingly grown thicker/wider as it closes. Eric ... View more

Ok, best of luck! ... View more

Another fantastic way to do this would be using FreeForm Pro for AE.  It is made by Mettle and it is a purchase item but it is very powerful and would do great for this. Eric ... View more

Ok, much more clear.  This also requires some tracking since it appears they tracked the basketball. But, that effect could be made relatively easily. Here's a tutorial from a quick search on YouTube for a fireball. Let me know of this helps. ENERGY BALL VFX - Adobe After Effects Tutorial - YouTube ... View more

Besides what last gent said, do you want stylized (cartoony) or realistic fire?  There are tons of effects for both and numerous packages that sell real fire clips from explosions to torches to fire crawling up sides of a doorway, etc. For less realistic, you have Trapcode Particular or the built in particle world effect.  Try going to youtube for plenty of tutorials on how to use AE tools for fire effects. Eric ... View more

I use Element 3D like it's going out of style.  One of my favorite plugins and just recently found a good workflow from E3D to 3D printer slicing software for 3D Printing. Eric ... View more

I routinely use the keying plugins from both Boris and RG and the Trapcode suite for RG has some amazing capability. Eric ... View more

This is a broad question.  There are tons of plugins but Boris and RG definitely produce some popular plugins.  I use from both myself. Eric ... View more

That's about what I was thinking too.  It launches and tries to match to the video I know but past that, you adjust as you need. Eric ... View more

Can you elaborate further?  If you are using AME, you can adjust all of those settings in there but when you launch AME, it typically defaults to match the type video that it is set to render.  If it does not or doesn't look right, you can adjust all within AME. Eric ... View more

Yours looks to be different to me.  I see a red solid in the comp but no red solid in the view panel. When you say you upgraded to CC2019 do you mean the recent update yesterday for 16.1? Eric ... View more

Can you tell me why you are using shape layers? Are the letters hand made (not a font)?  The animation for such a short about of letters doesn't seem overwhelming if it is using a font but curious how you are building these letters. Eric ... View more

Besides what has already been said about that zoom level...1.5%?  That is very zoomed in but as far as the black goes, you may just simply have your background set to black (which is more common than white).  Have you tried building on the comp? Eric ... View more

Let me try a different angle.  What exactly are you trying to do?  You have a video with some brush strokes but I'm not sure I am seeing what the problem is.  If you want to apply an effect, it will show up on everything including the video?  So where DO you want the effects to show? A little clip would be helpful. Eric ... View more