Gradients as Map Layers

[Anne Lawant]

Okay, pre-composing the Solid Layer did help, but now it has the exact same problem as the Shape Layer, namely that it still has the hard edge. Well, luckily mapping layers is nice, but not something I can’t live without.

[Matthew Keane]

Then there’s something strange going on with your project. I’ve just tried a quick test with both methods (solid + ramp & shape + gradient fill) and I’m not seeing blockiness like that. I even tried with a very small shape layer which I scaled up and with the layer quality set to draft, but it still looks OK.

To be fair, the test image I used was only about 2000px across, so smaller than your comp settings – is it possible it’s a memory problem when working with a larger image? Also, my tests were with CS4 – did something change in CS5?

[Matthew Keane]

Ah, hang on… If you have an adjustment layer with colour correction effects in there – is it possible that it is affecting the gradient layer and causing the blockiness? Try previewing just the gradient and the colour correction layer and see how that looks.

[Anne Lawant]

Turning of the colour adjustment does nothing. I’m more and more convinced the problem is something with my system. But for the life of me, I can’t figure out what. I don’t understand how a memory issue would forbid layer maps to be used.

[Darby Edelen]

[Anne Lawant] “So that’s my workflow. My conclusion is that for whatever reason, using Map Layers is buggy. However, I don’t see how this could be something like a driver issue. But then again, I don’t understand why the problem occurs at all. Does anyone have any experience with this problem?”

Following your workflow I don’t experience the same issue you do. Can you get Lens Blur to work properly in a new project under the simplest of circumstances? Perhaps something is wrong with your AE installation.

Darby Edelen

[Anne Lawant]

Yeah, I think a re-install may be the best option. In my first post, I posted a video with some time-remapping with Layer Maps. There too there are some hard edges.

Thanks everyone for all the help and thinking with me. I like this community 🙂