user2940: I have some white text that fades out on a red background (rgb (255,0,0)) in After Effects.
For some reason, in After Effects, the effect of the text fading out is a dark, almost 'black', animating with Opacity:

Whereas in Photoshop, the red 'comes through' the text, resulting in a reddish, transluscent white:

What am I missing? I'm confused why a '20%' white Text Layer on a Red solid would end up being black/grey in After Effects?
EDIT
This problem disappears when turning off the Layer Style, which is a simple Inner Shadow with the following settings:
Blend Mode: Multiply
Color: Black
Opacity: 75%
Use Global Light: Off
Angle: 0x+120,0°
Distance: 1,0
Choke: 0,0%
Size: 1,0
Noise: 0,0%

--
So I suppose, why does a simple layer style cause everything to go black when reducing opacity of the text layer?
Adding image to demonstrate:


user6598: I think it seems like you have added layer style to the text in Photoshop. The text in the photoshop has Bevels & Emboss. From this point, you may have some other effect added on this text layer. I tried myself with same red background and same white text, here is what on my computer:

Here is what it looks like in AE of 20% opacity:

And here is what it looks like in AE of 40% opacity:

So I think, it's only about how the software distribute the percentage of opacity, in After Effects, you should assign a higher opacity to the layer. I don't think there is a wired problem that in AE that you got a dark layer as you stated. 
Hope this may help :)

user4426: I think the layer styles cause AE to render slightly differently - they don't work with every plugin for example.
Have you tried precomping the text with the layer style, and doing the opacity adjustment in the outer comp?
I also think it could be because the layer style you're using has a multiply function within it.  Maybe try switching the display mode in the layer style to Normal, and see if you can get the same effect..
Finally, could it be something to do with working at full saturation red (255,0,0)?  When I render videos out, full reds tend to look pretty horrible as video files...

2940: <p>I have some white text that fades out on a red background (rgb (255,0,0)) in After Effects.</p>

<p>For some reason, in After Effects, the effect of the text fading out is a dark, almost 'black', animating with Opacity:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/h1INb.png" alt="Screenshot - After Effects"></p>

<p>Whereas in Photoshop, the red 'comes through' the text, resulting in a reddish, transluscent white:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/eCIeK.png" alt="Screenshot - Photoshop"></p>

<p>What am I missing? I'm confused why a '20%' white Text Layer on a Red solid would end up being black/grey in After Effects?</p>

<p><strong>EDIT</strong>
This problem disappears when turning off the Layer Style, which is a simple Inner Shadow with the following settings:</p>

<pre><code>Blend Mode: Multiply
Color: Black
Opacity: 75%
Use Global Light: Off
Angle: 0x+120,0°
Distance: 1,0
Choke: 0,0%
Size: 1,0
Noise: 0,0%
</code></pre>

<p>--</p>

<p>So I suppose, why does a simple layer style cause everything to go black when reducing opacity of the text layer?</p>

<p>Adding image to demonstrate:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/l5azG.gif" alt="AE opacity issues"></p>
 6598: <p>I think it seems like you have added layer style to the text in Photoshop. The text in the photoshop has <code>Bevels &amp; Emboss</code>. From this point, you may have some other effect added on this text layer. I tried myself with same red background and same white text, here is what on my computer:
<img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/zPwDy.jpg" alt="Test in Photoshop"></p>

<p>Here is what it looks like in AE of 20% opacity:
<img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/ajqw1.jpg" alt="Test in After Effects(20%)"></p>

<p>And here is what it looks like in AE of 40% opacity:
<img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/O3sCw.jpg" alt="Test in After Effects(40%)"></p>

<p>So I think, it's only about how the software distribute the percentage of opacity, in After Effects, you should assign a higher opacity to the layer. I don't think there is a wired problem that in AE that you got a dark layer as you stated. </p>

<p>Hope this may help :)</p>
 4426: <p>I think the layer styles cause AE to render slightly differently - they don't work with every plugin for example.</p>

<p>Have you tried precomping the text with the layer style, and doing the opacity adjustment in the outer comp?</p>

<p>I also think it could be because the layer style you're using has a multiply function within it.  Maybe try switching the display mode in the layer style to Normal, and see if you can get the same effect..</p>

<p>Finally, could it be something to do with working at full saturation red (255,0,0)?  When I render videos out, full reds tend to look pretty horrible as video files...</p>
