Nothing happens when I click
Read the message beside the tool. Lineup needs an active composition and at least two selected, unlocked layers.
| Message | Brief button badge | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No active composition | No comp | Open or activate a composition, then select its layers. |
| Select layers to line up | None | Select layers in the composition timeline. |
| Select two or more unlocked layers | 2+ | Select at least two unlocked layers. Locked layers do not count toward the minimum. |
| Skipped N locked layers | Locked | All selected layers are locked. Unlock at least two and try again. |
| Already in that order | Sorted | The rule already matches the stack. Choose another rule or change the direction if you want a different result. |
Very small buttons may hide the badge text. The message still explains the result. Buttons are disabled while an action is running.
Some layers stay in place
Unselected and locked layers keep their exact stack indices. Selected, unlocked layers swap among their own positions, so gaps in the selection remain. A success message can include N locked skipped.
An odd-sized reverse also leaves its middle layer in place. The success count includes every unlocked layer processed, even one that did not need to move.
The sort runs backward or equal layers change order
Check the direction icon or Descending in settings. Holding Shift flips the saved direction once; with descending already enabled, Shift gives ascending.
For equal values, ascending keeps their current relative order. Descending reverses tied layers too. The sort reference defines the values used by each button.
X, Y, Distance, or Label gives an unexpected result
The position sorts use anchor-point positions rather than visible edges. Their fallback uses Position values if After Effects cannot convert the point to comp space. Distance ignores Z and uses Distance From, unless Alt/Option temporarily switches it. Label sorts by numeric label index. See the position rules.
The preview is missing or looks out of date
Enlarge the slot if no diagram is visible. Move the pointer out of Lineup and back in after changing the selection, playhead, or settings. The panel also refreshes when it gains focus.
Dashed example bars mean Lineup could not read at least two unlocked layers. For selections larger than eight, the diagram shows only a subset. The preview reference explains its count, spans, and colors.
Alt-click Shuffle does not restore the same layers
Lineup remembers the seed, not a saved stack. Names, duplicate names, and changes to the selection affect repeatability. Follow the repeatable shuffle procedure with uniquely named layers.
Lineup reports another error
Not done is the brief badge for an unrecognized failure. Lineup could not finish, Lineup failed, or a host error means the action did not finish normally.
Inspect the timeline before retrying. If the action changed layers before failing, use After Effects’ undo history to restore the previous stack, then check the active comp and selection.