1. do you use the HDTV presets to avoid cropping? (if the layer is also outside of the canvas size) or do you just add another artboard that's a little bigger? 

2. have you found that the size of the second artboard in the HTDV preset of 14400x14400 makes a difference if it's that exact size that's created when you choose the preset? or do you just make your own second artboard? considering the fact that the second artboard in the HDTV preset is placed on half pixel and requires fixing everytime to avoid resampling of layers and antialiasing...

the Meyers (Hi there if you are tuning in... ) in their tutorial here explain the issue: https://www.lynda.com/After-Effects-tutorials/Illustrator-artboards/372438/497652-4.html, but they also mention that the 2nd artboard 14400x14400 is a "magic size" is essential. "The second artboard must be this size to trigger After Effects into not cropping off layers." I have not found it to be the case in my Ae versions since CS6.