Wild Construct

Troubleshooting

Use these checks in After Effects unless the problem is specifically in Composer. Keep the error message when reporting a problem. It identifies which operation failed.

Navigator reads Entropy effects from the composition and selected layer. It should show a system row when it finds an Entropy effect.

  1. Open the intended composition and select its Entropy layer.
  2. Select Refresh if you added or changed effects outside Navigator.
  3. If the layer has no Entropy effect, select ADD SYSTEM or apply Entropy to a layer.
  4. Confirm that Navigator now shows the system.

“No layer targeted” means no layer is selected. “No effects applied” means the selected layer has no effects. A report of zero emitters with other effects means that none of those effects is Entropy.

No particles appear

An emitter needs a valid source and an active emission behavior. Its particles also need visible size and opacity.

  1. Select the intended system and turn on its visibility pip.
  2. For Continuous, raise Particles/sec above zero and preview forward. For Burst, restart and check Particle Count.
  3. Check particle size, opacity, and curves for zero values.
  4. Check that the source is within view. For layer-based sources, select a valid source layer.
  5. For a child, check its parent and emission event. A Static parent will not age into an On Parent Death event.
  6. Temporarily use a Point source with Sprite particles to check the basic setup.

A control is unavailable or has no visible effect

Mode-specific controls only affect their related mode. For example, Path Speed needs Follow Path above zero. Roughness and Metallic are editable only with Material set to Custom. Star controls need Star sprites.

  1. Check the selected source and particle types.
  2. Check inheritance if a child should use its own values.
  3. Read the tooltip for the control's required mode.
  4. Set that mode, change one value, and compare the same frame.

Static particles do not age. Age-based features such as buoyancy cooling, diffusion, and fade-in timing will not progress on a Static emitter. Use a spatial graph for size or opacity across a Static shape.

A duplicated system looks different

Navigator can report that numeric values copied while graphs and curves stayed at defaults.

  1. Duplicate a system that uses a custom opacity curve.
  2. Read the duplication status.
  3. If it reports default graphs, reopen the copy's curve and restore the intended shape. Check its gradient too.
  4. Compare the original and copy at the same time.

This affects copies that depend on non-default graphs when that status appears. Re-editing the graphs is a workaround for that build.

Composer and After Effects look different

Composer has its own preview context. Composition lights, source layers, and camera settings can change the After Effects result.

  1. Select the intended Entropy layer and frame in After Effects.
  2. Save your Composer look if needed, then use Import from AE.
  3. Check the preview differences.
  4. Compare in After Effects with the required sources and lights present.

Composer reports AE not ready or Failed

Composer applies settings to After Effects when you select OK. If that operation fails, the window stays open.

  1. Keep Composer open or save the design as a preset.
  2. Confirm that After Effects is running with the intended composition and layer available.
  3. Read the error, correct the reported condition, and retry.
  4. Verify the design on the target layer after apply succeeds.

If OK changes to Close after a keyframe warning, the apply already succeeded. Read the warning and check the animated controls in After Effects.

A preset will not add

Adding a preset preserves the current scene, so it must fit the available systems, sprite slots, and shared sources.

Read the named conflict. Add a missing sprite to the Sprite Library, free a slot, or use Replace if you want the preset to replace the current design. Cancel keeps your current scene. Do not repeatedly add the same preset while an operation is still running.

Volume edges clip or the cloud looks too coarse

Volumes use a bounded 3D grid. A cloud can reach that boundary, especially with a large spread.

Increase Render Margin gradually, then inspect the same frame. If detail is too coarse, raise Voxel Detail within a usable render cost. Recheck a later frame where the cloud has spread further.

Motion does not return when a value reaches zero

Displacements are reversible. Forces accumulate changes to particle motion.

For example, raising Disperse and then returning it to zero removes its scatter offset. Wind applied during that time can still have moved the underlying particles. Restart with Wind off to check the reversible displacement by itself.

Contact support

Include your Entropy build, After Effects version, operating system, and the exact message. Describe the source type, particle type, and shortest steps that reproduce the issue. State whether it occurs in Composer, After Effects, or both. Include a small preset or project when possible, with any required source assets.

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