after effects · HeyBraza shows you
track matte not showing in after effects
HeyBraza points at the new track matte pickwhip and column that replaced the old dropdown in after effects 2023+.
if you followed a tutorial and the alpha matte / luma matte dropdown isn't there, you're not crazy - after effects 2023 redesigned track mattes completely. the dropdown is gone, replaced by a pickwhip and a matte column. here's where everything moved.
short answer
if the track matte option isn't showing, it's because after effects 2023 removed the old dropdown. put the matte layer directly above the layer it reveals, then drag the matte pickwhip (the little spiral) from the lower layer up to it - any tutorial telling you to pick 'alpha matte' from a dropdown predates the change.
or do it yourself
- 1put your matte layer (the shape/text defining the cutout) directly above the layer it should reveal.
- 2find the track matte column in the timeline - if it's missing, right-click the column headers and turn on 'modes' / 'track matte'.
- 3in the row of the layer below, click the matte pickwhip (the little spiral) and drag it up to the matte layer.
- 4click the matte-type icon that appears to switch between alpha and luma (and the invert toggle next to it).
- 5the old style is gone, so ignore tutorials that say 'set track matte dropdown to alpha matte' - use the pickwhip instead.
steps last checked
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downloadcommon questions
why is there no alpha matte option in after effects 2023?
adobe replaced the track matte dropdown with a pickwhip and a matte-type toggle. drag the pickwhip to the layer above, then click the icon to choose alpha or luma.
where is the track matte column?
right-click the timeline column headers and enable 'modes' or 'track matte'. the toggle-switches/transfer-controls button at the bottom of the timeline also shows it.
how do track mattes work in after effects now?
the old dropdown was replaced by a pickwhip. put the matte layer directly above the layer it should reveal, then drag the little spiral from the lower layer up to the matte layer, and click the icon that appears to switch between alpha and luma. any tutorial telling you to choose 'alpha matte' from a dropdown predates the change.
