This is the most common error when using Cyclops and it simply means that Cyclops cannot find your composition in the Composition Panel on the Active Display.

macOS Catalina and Newer

If you are on macOS and using Cyclops for the first time you will need to allow After Effects to record your screen. Please follow the instructions listed here.

macOS Cannot Verify the Developer

If you are on macOS and using Cyclops for the first time you will need to allow a few custom binaries to run. These are required for Cyclops to work. Please follow the instructions listed here.

Is your After Effects set up correctly?

There are a few other ways to ensure that Cyclops can find your composition:

• Tell Cyclops which display the Composition Panel is on by using the Active Display setting.
• Ensure that After Effects is open, not minimized, and at the forefront of your display.

Is your Composition Panel set up correctly?

• Make sure the Composition Panel is unblocked by any other window.
• Make sure the composition is fully visible in the Composition Panel.

⛔ The Composition is obstructed by the Cyclops panel within the Composition Panel.

✅ The composition panel is unobstructed within the Composition Panel.

• Try reducing the zoom level within the Composition Panel.
• Try hovering your mouse over the Compositional Panel and tapping the tilde key (~) to make the Composition Panel full screen.

⛔ Without the Composition Panel set to fullscreen the Composition at 75% is too large for the Composition Panel. It is extending outside the bounds.

✅ With Composition Panel set to fullscreen the Composition at 100% is the right size for the Composition Panel. It is not extending outside the bounds.

Remember, Cyclops can only render what it can see. Your composition must be clearly visible within the Composition Panel at all times will rendering.