Duplicate a composition layer in the timeline, at same time make new comp

[garek0071]

Hi,

I know that in the project panel I can do Control D and make a new comp. I know that in the layer panel I can do control D and make a new layer for a different comp, which keeps all the animations I have applied to that comp.

I also know that after I've duplicated that comp in the Project Panel I can Alt drag it to the other comp in the timeline and replace, or swap the comps.

What I want is to remove a step.

I have Comp A

In the timeline I want to duplicate this comp and at the same time create a new Comp B.

What I want is to be able to duplicate the layer in the timeline, and while doing so also create a new composition which would show up in my project panel. Basically I am trying to skip the extra steps of duplicating layer, going to project panel, duplicating comp, then Alt dragging to swap them.

Is there a shortcut for this?

[Rick Gerard]

Precompose??? I think that's what you're asking.

The keyboard shortcut is Ctrl/Cmnd + Shift + C

Here's the help file page on precomposing layers.

[Mylenium]

Is there a shortcut for this?

No. Nor should there. Doesn't really make any sense to have it that way...

Mylenium

[garek0071]

Rick,

No it's not precomposing. I don't want to move my layers into a new comp. I want to make a copy of one comp layer (in the timeline) and while copying, have it converted to a brand new comp that is identical. Then I could double click and make my modifications.

Mylenium, why would you think there should be no shortcut for this? It would be a small timesaver. I could dupicate a layer and while doing so, also duplicate all fo the contents and the comp itself. that would be soooo easy!

[Mylenium]

Mylenium, why would you think there should be no shortcut for this?

You are forgetting, that pre-comps in themselves can contain any number of pre-comps inside pre-comps inside pre-comps.... You would have to find a way of taking care of those scenarios which is a major logic challenge and effort. that being so and to avoid potentially risky user operations that might ruin entire projects, it is much safer to not allow this. I would agree with Rick that a simple script that mimics the manual steps and tied to a function key is probably as good as it gets, but still, even there the underlying deeper problem still exists, so you have to work very controlled.

Mylenium

[garek0071]

Yes, but I am not talking about pre-composing. I dont' want to 'move layers into a new composition'. I want to duplicate a layer that contains a composition and in doing so duplicate that composition in the project panel as well.

But it sounds like there still is no shortcut for this, so I'll look into scripting.

[James_Chens]

Apologize for resurrecting an old thread, but this was ranked highly on Google and I found a solid working solution at donationware site AEScripts:  http://aescripts.com/true-comp-duplicator/ in case anyone else finds this thread while searching.

[kidddd0123]

Thanks James! You are a life saver .

[Andrew Yoole]

As a process, it would be very easy to accomplish with Scripting.  If you ask nicely in the Scripting Forum I'm sure you'll find some assistance.

[garek0071]

Thanks, I will check that out. I can actually write JavaScript, just have never done it for AE. Maybe it's time to learn something new!