Why Are My Clips Pixilated in After Effects?

When working with video in Adobe After Effects (AE), you may encounter pixilated clips that look blurry or pixelated. This can be frustrating, especially if your goal is to create high-quality compositions. Here are some common reasons and solutions to help you resolve pixelation issues.

Viewport Display Settings

One common reason for pixelation is the viewport display settings. By default, AE displays the video at a low resolution to speed up performance. However, when you need to work with a cleaner, higher resolution, make sure to change the display settings.

Open the video panel at the bottom of the compositor. Locate the drop-down menu labeled 'Resolution.'

Change it to 'full,' which will display the footage in its native resolution.

Source Video Quality

Pixelation often occurs when working with low-quality video sources. This can include video captured on a smartphone, a consumer camera, or videos downloaded from the internet. These sources may have already been compressed, leading to a loss of detail.

When importing video into AE, look for higher-resolution footage. Compressed videos may look good when played back, but their low resolution becomes apparent when you work with individual frames. Here are a few steps to consider:

Source and Camera: Use a high-quality camera with a larger image sensor. A larger sensor can capture more detail and support higher resolutions. Compression: Avoid heavily compressed video, especially from low-end cameras or online sources. Use uncompressed raw formats if possible. Highest Quality Setting: When capturing video, use the highest possible resolution and quality settings available on your camera. This helps to ensure the best source material for editing.

Video Editing Software Settings

The software you use can also contribute to pixelation, especially during editing and export processes. Here are some settings to check:

Resolution Settings: Ensure that your video is edited and exported at the highest resolution possible. This helps minimize pixelation when scaling up frames. File Formats: Choose the right export format. High-compression formats like H.264 can lose quality, especially when dealing with fine details. Frame Rate: Maintain the original frame rate of the source video, especially if you need to edit at a higher resolution.

If you're working with previously edited clips, be cautious of quality loss. Reducing file size can lead to a loss of detail, especially if you are editing a sequence of previously edited videos. Always keep source files in their highest quality format.

Workarounds and Solutions

While there's no magic bullet to fix already pixilated video, there are some methods to improve the appearance in After Effects:

Resize Layer: If you need to scale up a layer, use the scale tool in combination with the Distort property to avoid pixelation. This involves scaling down a closely scaled-up version of the video. Decimation: Reduce the resolution temporarily, apply transformations, and then re-insert the original resolution to preserve detail. Use Plugins: There are third-party plugins designed to add detail to low-resolution videos, but they can be expensive. Research cheaper alternatives or free options.

While these techniques can improve the appearance of pixelated clips, the most effective solution is to capture high-quality video in the first place. This involves using the highest resolution and quality settings available on your camera, and working with uncompressed raw video if possible.

If you continue to experience issues, consider consulting online communities or tutorials for more specific advice. Additional troubleshooting and detailed instructions are available on AE's official documentation and user forums.