After reviewing this report and discussing how the mouse wheel is used in 3D comps and the intent of the new behaviors with the camera tools in After Effects 17.5, we’ve decided to make a small change.

In Preferences > 3D, the Mouse Scroll Wheel Behavior option will now default to Magnify Composition, instead of Dolly Camera.

Given all of the factors, we concluded this is the best option to balance typical workflows and the new camera tools. And if you preferred the Dolly Camera option, this is an easy change to make.

This change will be in the next update for After Effects Beta (version 17.6, build 42 or later). Please test it when available and let us know if this feels like the right change.

Thank you for filing this bug. We will investigate if a change is needed here.

In After Effects 17.5, the new default behavior of holding the Alt/Option key while clicking with the mouse in the Composition panel is to engage the new camera tools. This behavior can be disabled via Preferences > 3D > “Activate Alt/Option – Left/Middle/Right mouse click for camera navigation”.

In After Effects 17.5.1, several changes were made to restore the previous behavior of holding the Alt/Option key even when that preference is enabled. In other words, we listened to the feedback that this new behavior was too aggressive and was disrupting workflows. One of those changes was when using the Zoom tool, which as of 17.5.1 has its Alt/Option behavior (zoom out) restored when the preference is enabled.

This case of mouse scroll wheel zoom while holding Alt/Option, to zoom under the mouse cursor when the Selection tool is active, was not one of the cases that was changed in 17.5.1. We will review whether this case should be restored, or if it should remain tied to the new preference.