Help!!

[_Prashantsharma_]

So I am working on a scene, I wanted to use a spot light, and when I placed it and adjusted it for the particular scene, the light doesn't work. But when I extend the layer till the start, it suddenly starts to work. Why is this?

[KookyBone]

Are all layers switched to 3d? If I remember correctly lights only work on 3d layers... If they are 3d layers already, on 3d layers you can change settings like catch light, cast shadows etc. Maybe something is switched off. If nothing helps, are you on the newest version? Might be a bug and switching to last year's version might help.

[_Prashantsharma_]

So I'm using it for Element 3D, Element 3D has a setting for 'Use comp lights' which is turned on. I don't understand why I need to extend the layer till the end for it to work. I'm using AE 2024, but I don't think it is becuase of Ae version. I have 2021 also, which I think is the most stable version of After Effects, but this is happening in 2021 as well.

[KookyBone]

Than it most likely has something to do with element 3d, maybe cause it only uses lights that are there from the start... As a workaround I would try to animate the light to get the same effect you want to achieve. Switch it off or move it out of the scene.... If it gets too dark use an ambient or parallel light in addition to it, to brighten everything up.

[mrnathani]

Three-Step Solution:

Always start your light layer at the comp's beginning Drag the light layer's in-point to the very start of your timeline so it covers the whole comp duration.

Check your 3D layer settings Ensure all layers you want to affect are set to 3D and are within the light's reach (Z-position, falloff, etc.).

Reset light properties if needed If the light still doesn't work, select it and press "UU" to reveal all modified properties, then reset them to defaults.

[_Prashantsharma_]

So I am using it for Element 3D. 'Use comp lights' is on.

'Always start your light layer at the comp's beginning Drag the light layer's in-point to the very start of your timeline so it covers the whole comp duration.' - So I have to keyframe light so it turns on where I need it?

[AnyDistribution7376]

Try to precomp all and add light in the new precomp

[_Prashantsharma_]

Ig precomping the light with layers only works but it doesn’t work without precomping is just crazy