Controlling colors in a comp from the comp that contains it?

[Balakay612]

I'm sure this has been addressed somewhere else, but I can't find anything (I'm probably not searching right). Here's what I want to do: I have a comp with two layers: each of these layers, I want to be able to change its color from an outside comp (that this comp and multiple copies of it would be in). I've created expression controls that I thought I could use, but I can't seem to access the properties of the contained comps correctly. From the parent comp, I tried: thisComp.layer("<child comp>").layer("<layer in child comp>"), but I'm told the second "layer" is not a function. Which I know, so somehow I'm not addressing things correctly.

Maybe there's a simpler approach? The goal is this: I don't want to have tons of the same comp just to change the colors of two layers in each one. Surely that can be done from an external control? Thanks for any help!

[Roei Tzoref · Accepted solution]

Two methods come to mind:

1. Drag the subcomp tab underneath the main comp tab so you will have split view of the timelines. Drag the pickwhip of the color property from the sub comp layer to the maincomp parameter of your choosing (like a color expression control). You have now rigged the colors and you can adjust from the main comp

2. use master properties feature: open the sub comp in the essential graphics panel, drag the color propery to the EGP, now you can control the color from the parent comp by changing the propery in the precomps Essential properties in the timeline (it will be added there)

[Balakay612]

Thank you! I was unfamiliar with Master Properties until reading your reply. That'll do nicely!