Strange distortion in final AE output

[Randy Cates]

Makes perfect sense except that both the source and the comp are 720p square pixels. Unfortunately, that’s not it.

If you’re making that assumption based on seeing that 1024×768 comp in my project that’s not the comp being displayed. Also the distortion I’m referring to isn’t a squishing (square vs. rectangular) I’m referring to this weirdness in the image it’s self – please look closely at the attached. The aspect is fine.

Thanks for the fast response.
R.Cates

Randy Cates
Video Production/Motion Graphics

[Mike Zimbard]

This is pixel motion frame blending turned on. The quickest way to get rid of this is in your render output turn Frame Blending Off for all layers. You’re not seeing it in the viewport because my guess is that the Frame Blending button next to your time line isn’t clicked, however, if some of your layers have a solid diagonal line under frame blending then it will render unless you force it “off”.

You can also go though all of your layers and one of them must have a solid diagonal line checked for frame blending. The “tearing” you’re seeing is AE attempting to create an in-between frame based on pixel motion. Pixel motion is wonderful for creating smooth slo-mo, but in a lot of cases if there isn’t enough information for AE to create a smooth frame you’ll wind up with what you’re seeing. Good luck!

– Mike

[Randy Cates]

Thanks Mike that sounds right. I had actually turned it on and saw this artifact in the comp earlier but it went away when I switched it off. I don’t see any layers with it turned on (and you can see it isn’t on for the comp with the artifacts – and it isn’t on in the nested comp either) that’s showing the problem.

I’ll render a quick test of this section with it off for all (since I’m not using it) and post my results.

Thanks!
Randy Cates

Randy Cates
Video Production/Motion Graphics

[Randy Cates]

Thanks Mike that was it.

I had actually turned on frame blending and saw this artifact in the comp earlier (when the master switch was active) but it went away when I switched off the master.

You may find this interesting. I have this animation (pre rendered) in a nested comp and it’s used in three spots (it’s a long looping event presentation reel). I did have the Frame blend slash active on one of the three comps yet the effect appeared in all three even (it was off on the other two). Additionally the master frame blend switch was off.

I wouldn’t think the two with the FB effect off would render this way even with force all effects turned on in the que. Weird. Maybe a bug?

Anyway Thanks you saved the day! Thanks to you too Dave for chiming in.
You saved my bacon.

Randy Cates

Randy Cates
Video Production/Motion Graphics

[Mike Zimbard]

Randy – Definitely odd that the effect was showing on comps that didn’t even have frame blending turned on. I’m glad forcing it off in the Queue worked. Glad everything worked out!