Pre-Compose
Group multiple layers into a single composition for organization and nested animations. Keeps your main timeline clean.
Composition
Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+C (Cmd+Shift+C)Intermediate7 min readQuick Reference
Pre-Compose
Adobe After EffectsKeyboard Shortcut
Ctrl+Shift+Ckey
Where to Find
Select multiple layers in the Timeline, then go to Layer > Pre-Compose or press Ctrl+Shift+C (Mac: Cmd+Shift+C).
Best Used For
- ▸Organizing complex animations into logical groups
- ▸Applying effects to entire layer groups at once
- ▸Creating reusable nested animation components
- ▸Keeping the main timeline clean and manageable
Intermediate⏱ 1-2 hours to master
Key Settings
Leave Attributes: Effects outside compMove Attributes: Effects inside compOpen Composition: Double-click to edit
Pre-Composing is one of the most powerful organizational tools in After Effects. By grouping related layers into nested compositions, you keep your main timeline clean while maintaining full editability. This technique is essential for complex motion graphics projects with dozens or hundreds of layers.
Where to Find
Select multiple layers in the Timeline, then go to Layer > Pre-Compose or press Ctrl+Shift+C (Mac: Cmd+Shift+C).
How to Use
- Basic Usage: Select 2+ layers and pre-compose them to create a nested comp
- Options: Choose "Leave all attributes" to keep effects outside, or "Move all attributes" to keep them inside the new comp
- Editing: Double-click a pre-comp in the Timeline to open and edit it
- Nesting: Pre-comps can be nested inside other compositions
Pro Tips
- Use pre-comps to organize complex animations into logical groups
- Pre-compose before adding effects that need to apply to a group of layers
- Rename your pre-comps descriptively for better project organization
- Pre-compose with "Move all attributes" to keep your timeline clean