After Effects Keylight Out Of Memory - All 7 Causes & Fixes

Keylight Out Of Memory In After Effects

Surprisingly, this common is a lot more common than you'd expect. There is no one-stop-solution to this error, as it can be caused by a few different issues. In this articles, I'll explain each cause and it's designated. solution.

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Insufficient RAM

Honestly, think of RAM as the heartbeat of your computer. Just as our heart pumps blood to every part of our body, RAM provides the necessary power to run applications like After Effects. If the heart is weak or overburdened, the body struggles. Similarly, if there's not enough RAM, After Effects, especially with plugins like Keylight, can falter.

Solution‍

Upgrade your RAM. It's like giving your computer a stronger heart. If you ask me, for a smooth experience in After Effects, having at least 16GB of RAM is a good starting point. But if you're working on complex projects, 32GB or even 64GB might be more appropriate.

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Memory Allocation

You see, by default, After Effects doesn't fully utilize all the RAM you have. It's like having a big room but only using half of it.

Solution‍

Head over to Edit > Preferences > Memory. Here, you can adjust the RAM reserved for After Effects. It's like expanding the usable space in that room. In my opinion, leaving about 2-4GB for other system tasks and dedicating the rest to After Effects is a balanced approach.

Large Source Files

Imagine you're building a house. Using bigger bricks might make the process faster, but it also requires more strength. Similarly, using high-resolution footage in After Effects is like using bigger bricks – it demands more from your system.

Solution‍

Work with proxies or lower resolution versions while editing. It's like using smaller, lighter bricks during the construction phase and then replacing them with the sturdy ones once the design is finalized. This way, you're not straining your system unnecessarily.

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Overly Complex Compositions

Guess what? Every layer and effect in After Effects is like a piece of a puzzle. The more pieces you have, the harder and more time-consuming it becomes to see the full picture.

Solution‍

Simplify. Group layers together, pre-compose, or temporarily turn off those you're not working on. It's like sorting your puzzle pieces by color or edge type before attempting to fit them together. It makes the whole process more manageable.

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Disk Cache

No doubt, a cluttered storage closet is hard to navigate. Your disk cache is similar. If it's full or has corrupted data, After Effects can't retrieve what it needs efficiently.

Solution

Regularly clean your disk cache. Navigate to Edit > Preferences > Media & Disk Cache and hit "Empty Disk Cache". It's like decluttering and organizing that storage closet, so everything is easy to find.

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Software Version

Software, like everything else, evolves. Older versions might not have the capabilities or efficiency of newer ones. Using an outdated version of After Effects is like trying to browse modern websites with an ancient web browser.

Solution‍

Upgrade. Ensure you're on a 64-bit version of After Effects (CS5 or later). It's like swapping out an old bicycle for a modern electric bike – faster, more efficient, and equipped for today's challenges.

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Graphics Card

Your graphics card is like the lens of a camera. If it's not clear or of good quality, the pictures (or in this case, the renders) won't be either.

Solution‍

Keep your graphics card drivers updated. If you're facing consistent issues, consider an upgrade. It's like switching from a basic camera lens to a professional one – the clarity and quality difference is noticeable.