Problem with collapse layers + precomps

hello,

currently going crazy because I have two comps that seem to be identical in all ways but for some reason the collapse layers is working in one and not in the other. I'm trying to add engines (made up of a Video Copilot flare + Video Copilot Saber solid) to the back of miniature spaceships which i've tracked and put inside a precomp. as you can see, i want the red engine to ADD into the background but its not showing up as ADD (look at disembodied engine next to it as an example of the way it should be.




and here is the other comp where its WORKING with an example of the red engine next to it making me think that it's not something to do with the ENGINE PRECOMP or the SHIP PRECOMP



if you look next to the collapse transformations thing, the blend mode on the working one has a dash through it, that's the only difference I can see as to why it's not working but I have no idea why!!

and here are pics of the precomps themselves





please help, I will be most grateful!

-Michael

heyo,

you are correct, the disabled keylight was affecting it, but i'm confused as to why a disabled effect still alters things?

the mask was also set to "none" so it was quite infuriating.

anyways thanks for your help!

-Michael