How do I copy/duplicate a composition and its effects from a template?

Report · Nov 17, 2023

I'm very much a beginner when it comes to After Effects. I've only ever used templates downloaded from Motion Array but can usually work my way through it enough to get the graphics to look the way I want. Today...not so much.

I am trying to animate a map of the US to show all the locations of the company I work for. There are 15 locations in total but the template I downloaded (https://motionarray.com/after-effects-templates/maps-9038/) only has 10 location points in the Controller for me to edit. This feels like something so simple for me to do, yet I can't figure out how to duplicate the comp and add the additional 5 location markers.

I have tried going into the Controller panel in the timeline, selected a location point that works, clicked Edit->Duplicate and renamed it to Point 11 but it doesn't generate any capabilities for me to edit it like the others. I have been staring at this for hours and can't for the life of me figure out what I'm doing wrong. Any advice is greatly appreciated! I know I could find a different template that works better for my needs but this feels like something I should just learn how to do. Thanks!

Report · Nov 17, 2023

This is where you have to start digging through the Composition/Flowchart menu. When you open the flow chart for the main comp and expand it, you'll find the comps or layers used to set locations. The ten locations are probably pre-comps. If they are, you need to find them in the Project Panel and duplicate them there. If they are layers or Expression Control Sliders, you'll have to dig into the code they use to set the locations by selecting the layer or the effect and pressing the U key twice to figure out what's going on. Things can get very complicated in templates. There is no way for anyone to give you a workflow to add more locations unless we completely understand the structure of the comps.

Screenshots showing the modified properties of the layers controlling the locations would help us help you. I don't have time or budget right now to download the template and dig through it.

Report · Nov 17, 2023

Thanks for reaching out! Here are a couple of screenshots to show you what I'm working with. I don't see the Point comps in the project panel, only the different map options and the Controller. As you can see from the screenshots, the Controller gives me the option to change position, scale, and timing for each Point. I can see the Point comps under Map 02 in the timeline, and was able to reveal them in the flow chart. I tried duplicating the comp from the timeline panel but nothing populated in the controller panel like I thought it would. Hopefully these screenshots provide some clarity. Let me know if there's anything else I can provide that would help!

Report · Nov 17, 2023

Find a controller and the layer where it exists. Close the Graph Editor, select that layer, ensure the Effects Control Panel is visible, and then press the U key twice to see everything modified on the layer. Then drag the screenshot to the reply field instead of using the Drag & drop here... button so it shows up in your post. You'll see something like this:

This screenshot shows that a Menu Controller is being used by an expression to set the scale of the selected layer. You should be able to find something similar on the layer that holds the Controller. If the Controller is on a separate layer, as in my screenshot, lock the Effects Control Panel and find the layers that move when you change the controls.