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  • Cannot see light/lamp/arc pictogram thingy when I click light layer

    Posted by Thumper Strauss on January 26, 2016 at 2:19 am

    I added a light layer to my comp. When I click the layer so I can move around the light position in the composition window (on top of my video image and near my 3D text), I don’t see that pictogram light/lamp thingy and all the arc lines showing where the light will fall. I am able to move around that light source, but I have to do it blind.

    The weird thing is that I have another comp that appears to be pretty identical and am able to see that light/lamp thingy.

    I have restarted PC. No change.

    AfterEffects 1015.1 Release // 13.6.1.6

    Thumper Strauss replied 10 years, 7 months ago 2 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Walter Soyka

    January 26, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    Try View > Show Layer Controls. This is a per-comp setting, responsible for whether or not layer handles, lighting controls, camera wireframes, etc. are shown on-screen.

    Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+H (PC) or Cmd+Shift+H (Mac).

    This one is handy to know. I use it constantly to toggle layer controls on and off, so I can see the comp in the viewer clearly, or so I can manipulate the controls visually.

    Walter Soyka
    Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
    Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
    @keenlive   |   RenderBreak [blog]   |   Profile [LinkedIn]

  • Thumper Strauss

    January 26, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    I tried View > Show Layer Controls (Ctrl+Shift+H) but it doesn’t have an effect. I still don’t see the camera wireframes on the screen, although I am able to move the lights angles around, blindly. Could it have to do with my weak graphics card?

  • Walter Soyka

    January 26, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    Click into your viewer panel, then View > View Options (Ctrl+Alt+U). Make sure that everything that you want to see is enabled.

    [Thumper Strauss] “Could it have to do with my weak graphics card?”

    It shouldn’t, but you might also try toggling this setting:
    Edit > Preferences > Display > “Hardware accelerate composition, layer, and footage panels”

    Walter Soyka
    Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
    Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
    @keenlive   |   RenderBreak [blog]   |   Profile [LinkedIn]

  • Thumper Strauss

    January 28, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    Just to follow up and close this thread, the “Hardware accelerate composition, layer, and footage panels” was grayed out.

    But anyway, I created a new comp was eventually able to see the wireframes thingy.

    As it happens, I discovered that I would get much better results with the Camera Tracker (instead of Motion Tracker). And with Camera Tracker I haven’t had a problem seeing the wireframes thingies.

    Thanks.

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