Beyond Pseudo Effects: Native Custom Properties for Layers

Hi, I would like to suggest an evolution of Expression Controls and Pseudo Effects.

Currently, the only way to attach custom, user-defined parameters to a layer is by relying on effects such as Expression Controls or Pseudo Effects. This approach has several limitations.

Certain layer types do not support effects at all (cameras, lights, advanced 3D layers), and in other cases effects can cause rendering issues, especially with collapsed 3D compositions or 3D vector layers. From a scripting standpoint, defining custom controls is cumbersome, as Pseudo Effects cannot be generated or customized dynamically at creation time and require an external .ffx file as an intermediary.

I would therefore like to suggest a new feature:

Native custom properties integrated into the Properties panel.

These custom properties would:

• be attached directly to the layer, independently of the Effects stack
• be exposed and managed in the Properties panel
• support the same level of customization as Pseudo Effects or Essential Graphics
• be fully accessible in expressions as first-class properties
• be created, queried, and modified via the scripting API

Integrating custom properties into the Properties panel would, in my opinion, be a significant improvement to workflow and flexibility.

Thank you!