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expression error "referenced layer" doesn't exist or was deleted
When copying effect with relative property links (roughen edges effect), the expression error message pops up saying that “referenced layer” doesn’t exist or was deleted. Then tryng to go back or even delete the copied effect After Effect crashes. I use After Effect 2023, on Mac. Please any advise of what may be a problem? Thanks!
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4 Replies
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When you copy an effect with relative property links enabled in After Effects, the effect will automatically adjust its properties to match the current values of the source layer. However, if the source layer is deleted or no longer exists, the effect can’t find the source layer to reference and this can cause errors and crashes in After Effects. Which is why you are getting this error message.
In order to fix this issue, you can try one of the following:
- Check if the source layer still exists: Check the layer panel and see if the source layer still exists. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to recreate it or replace it with a new layer.
- Disable relative property links: Disable relative property links on the effect before copying it to a new layer. To do this, select the effect and go to the “Effect Controls” panel. Untick the “Relative Property Links” option.
- Clear cache: Clear the cache in After Effects and try again. Go to Edit > Purge > All Memory & Disk Cache or press Shift + Option + Command + F11 (Mac) to purge the cache.
Hope that this helps, if everything you tried still does not work, you may have to contact Adobe Customer Support for further assistance.
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Hi Hector,
Thank you for the answer. The layer with the effect that was copied was still there when the error popped up. I want to try the option which you suggesting to disable the relative property links in control pannel but I can’t find where exactly. If you could explain in more details how I can do it that would be great. Thank you!!!
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First of all, which of the options exactly you were having trouble in finding? Hope to hear from you again soon.
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Hi Hector,
I couldn’t find this:
2. Disable relative property links: Disable relative property links on the effect before copying it to a new layer. To do this, select the effect and go to the “Effect Controls” panel. Untick the “Relative Property Links” option.
Where to unclick “Relative Property Links” in “Effect Control” panel.
Thanks!
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