Troubleshooting
Design Mode does not appear after installing
Section titled “Design Mode does not appear after installing”After Effects only finds new extensions at launch, so restart it, then check Window > Extensions. If it still is not there, see Installing ZXP Extensions.
”This key is already in use on all the machines it allows”
Section titled “”This key is already in use on all the machines it allows””The key is active on two machines. On one of them, open License from the footer menu and click Deactivate this machine, then activate again. See Moving to a new machine.
”That key was not found”
Section titled “”That key was not found””Check the key for a typo or a missing character. Copy it again from your Lemon Squeezy account.
”That key is for a different product”
Section titled “”That key is for a different product””The key belongs to another Jake In Motion tool. Use the key from your Design Mode order.
”Your network is blocking the license server”
Section titled “”Your network is blocking the license server””Work and school networks often block it. Try another connection, or ask whoever runs the network to allow api.jakeinmotion.dev.
Design Mode could not reach the license server
Section titled “Design Mode could not reach the license server”The messages “could not reach the license server”, “did not answer in time” and “The connection was closed before it could be made” all mean the request never got through. Check your internet connection, allow After Effects through any firewall, then try again.
”Design Mode could not find this machine’s activation”
Section titled “”Design Mode could not find this machine’s activation””Enter your license key again to reactivate this machine. If you are already in the editor, open License and click Use a different key.
”Design Mode could not read your license file”
Section titled “”Design Mode could not read your license file””Enter your key again on the activation screen. This machine keeps its seat.
”Activated, but the license could not be saved to disk”
Section titled “”Activated, but the license could not be saved to disk””Design Mode is activated, but it may ask for the key next launch. Check that the .jakeinmotion/shape-layer-panel folder in your user folder is writable.
”The license server answered with something Design Mode could not read”
Section titled “”The license server answered with something Design Mode could not read””Your key is probably fine. Try again later. If it keeps happening, send Jake a note through Submit feedback in the footer menu.
License shows Grace period
Section titled “License shows Grace period”Design Mode could not check your license and keeps working for up to 30 days. Go online, open License, and click Re-check license. See Working offline.
License shows Expired or Disabled
Section titled “License shows Expired or Disabled”The store has ended or turned off this key. Enter a different key with Use a different key, or send Jake a note through Submit feedback.
Design Mode Layers or Properties says it is waiting
Section titled “Design Mode Layers or Properties says it is waiting”The two optional panels only work while the main Design Mode panel is open. Click Open Design Mode.
”Nothing in this comp can be pulled”
Section titled “”Nothing in this comp can be pulled””Design Mode pulls shape layers, masks and text layers that exist at the current time. Move the playhead onto the layers, or check they are one of those kinds. In After Effects 2023, text layers are left out.
Push says it refused something
Section titled “Push says it refused something”Each refused item is listed with its reason, and everything else still landed. Common reasons: the property is driven by an expression, or the layer changed in After Effects since your pull. Pull again and redo the edit.
”The layer stack changed in After Effects”
Section titled “”The layer stack changed in After Effects””Layers were added, removed or reordered in After Effects after your pull. Choose Push as new to keep everything safe, or Push anyway, then pull before pushing again.
Push is paused after restoring a draft
Section titled “Push is paused after restoring a draft”The draft came from an earlier After Effects session. Open the same saved project and comp and click Reattach, or use Push as new.
A shape cannot be selected
Section titled “A shape cannot be selected”It is locked, in Design Mode or by its layer’s padlock. Unlock it in Layers, or press Ctrl+Alt+2 to unlock everything.
A value is red and will not change
Section titled “A value is red and will not change”An expression in After Effects drives it. Edit or remove the expression in After Effects, then pull again.
A blend mode looks different from After Effects
Section titled “A blend mode looks different from After Effects”Some blend modes are approximate on the canvas, and the Blend Mode setting says so. After Effects renders the real mode after you push.
A mask does not cut its shape layer on the canvas
Section titled “A mask does not cut its shape layer on the canvas”Masks on shape layers draw as an overlay in Design Mode. After Effects applies them after you push.
I cannot type Japanese, Chinese or Korean text
Section titled “I cannot type Japanese, Chinese or Korean text”Input methods are not supported on the canvas. Edit that text in After Effects.
”Design Mode lost its connection to After Effects”
Section titled “”Design Mode lost its connection to After Effects””Close and reopen the Design Mode panel. If that does not fix it, restart After Effects. Your unpushed work is kept as a recovery draft.
The panel opens blank or stops responding
Section titled “The panel opens blank or stops responding”Open the panel’s flyout menu (the menu at the panel’s top-right corner) and choose Refresh. If that does not help, close and reopen the panel.
Still stuck?
Section titled “Still stuck?”See Contact and include your After Effects version, operating system, Design Mode version, and a description of what happened.