Open pre-comps as Folders / Groups in the timeline

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

Folders and groups are the same concept—as the already existing "Pre-comp". The thought behind the "Pre-comp" is to “group” a set of layers. Rather than reinventing the wheel and making After Effects more complicated with added new features like groups and folders, we can improve the functionality of the "Pre-comp".

Here is a demonstration of how that would work: https://vimeo.com/137312858

Suggested Shortcuts:

/ = Split Timeline to show pre-comp. Only works when comps are selected.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

You can do this already by opening a new timeline to the precomp, no?

[Sterphy]

I wish we could just have timeline folders without having to destructively precompose. Precomping ruins so many things, like set mattes, layer orders etc.

[moniqueo26397432]

Have twirl down accessibility on comps and precomps - so you can directly access a layer within a comp without leaving the holding comp i.e direct drill-down from the main timeline (revealing the nesting in the main timeline). This would make adjustments to elements within comps that are timing critical less of a hit and miss and make things SO much easier 🙂

[Mihai Lisii]

I think most of the people in this thread wants at least some kind of change. Either just a simple grouping in order to not pre-compose or a twirl down to be able to see the pre-composed files without the necesity of opening it. I dont know what is easier but at least something would be better then nothing.

[PanBeep]

Let's see what Tilda Swinton thinks about this.

[Szalam]

I wish we could react to comments because I literally laughed out loud at @MrBeep's remark.
Just a beautiful joke. If we ever meet at NAB, SIGGRAPH, MAX, or Camp Mograph, I'll get you a beer or something.

[PanBeep]

Can't wait Michael 😉

[arkayny]

Lumetri panel in Premiere Pro makes is easier to correct color footage. How hard would it be to add in AE?

[Nick2049]

Please Adobe.. somebody.. anybody!!! Even if it’s just as simple as allowing folders on the timeline we’ll take it. Ideally within this decade. Thank you!

[Hani ElTiby]

I second this feature request, + we need filters, did you guys ever seen filters on timelines and graph editors in other animation softwares? yes this funnel icon, Ae needs it.

[Bruno Quintin]

8 people in 3 years, create a new software (https://www.left-angle.com/?language=en) with all the features requested for years. So is it possible to listen to us?

[autokroma]

Nice Bruno. Francois Grassard does a lot of good stuff, we can trust him on that !

[PanBeep]

I have a dream that one day I will ditch AE for ever. Next year this may come true when Autograph is released.

[4xp0]

omg this would be absolute game changer. how is this not already a thing??

[craigh52675903]

As per the picture below, wouldn't it be nice to group some layers to reduce the clutter instead of always pre-comping the layers just to neaten up the timeline. OR allow Precom to expose the inside layers. Precomp and hiding layers have their uses, but this would really speed up my workflow.

[Nick2049]

I agree, and group like functionality to pre-comps would be useful, but I would also argue that basic folders are still required. Pre-comp'ing everything is not the solution (and also would cause issues in some cases) to a messy timeline, we just need a way of organising hundreds of layers without having to pre-comp everything, and it seems like a very basic folder which we can toggle down (the same as PS) would not only save us from endless scrolling but also really help with UI performance.

[InfiniteWhale]

 ;.

[InfiniteWhale]

Because Adobe flat refuse to improve After Effects.  I mean have they ever actually implemented an idea or feedback from users? We're all using SSDs and NVME drives yet still have to wait for RAM preview.  They're a joke company

[InfiniteWhale]

No.

[InfiniteWhale]

"kind of"

[CucaramblaX]

There are already numerous threads requesting a grouping feature, which I fully support. Additionally, I propose integrating the ability to expand Precomps. These two features should be seen in tandem, as they both provide quicker access to project contents and help declutter the UI.

Groups act as intermediaries between Layers and Precomps. Each Group is unique, and the layer numbering remains unchanged. Users can create, expand, collapse, edit membership, copy, cut, paste, duplicate, delete, drag-n-drop Folder to Group and convert Group to Precomp. Groups, unlike Precomps, would not have keyable layer properties.

Expanding a Precomp mirrors the contents and state of the nested comp, showing the original layer indices, making it much easier to sync animations in the main comp. Editing the expanded comp’s contents would change the contents for all its instances. User can Explode Precomp to Group or to individual layers.

A living example of this concept can be seen in coding, where editors offer the ability to collapse and expand functions, loops, and other code blocks, making it easier to manage and navigate complex codebases.

The minimal viable feature would then include collapsible single-level Groups and expandable Precomps, which can be scaled up later to multiple levels of nesting.

Thank you.
CX

P.S. Dear Adobe, before or concurrently, could you also address the Effect’s time-code bug? This issue is directly tied to how 3D Precomps currently function, and I am heavily involved in finding a solution.

[CucaramblaX]

Two years later, the idea still has "No Status".

Being unaware of this thread (couldn't find with built in search) I posted my own take on it, and the post just got attached here and left to collect the dust.

Unfortunately, similar fate befalls upon the reported bugs, which reported to "soft" Support are being forwarded to here; here those have numbers of anonymous views, but have no status, no confirmation - the sense here is that Adobe employees even don't read them.

I wonder if and where there is some sort of threshold, bypassing which sets the water into motion.

[Konstantin3527682920jm]

Adobe should just add FOLDERS!
Damn it!

Nobody gets how a company can be so deaf to critique! There's nothing about 'reinventing the wheel' or 'making AE more complicated' about adding folders. it's the opposite, it would make life easier for professionals and beginners. professionals already use Workflowers, and beginners are used to folders from ALL OTHER SOFTWARES.. Adobe, Wake up!

[thepixelsmith]

I would actually like to see layer groups but not as an implementaton of the nesting comps feature, just as a separate feature. Nesting and grouping layers are not actually the same functionality.

[MikyMike]

Folders like in Photoshop would be a great addition to After Effects. Being able to group layers into folders would declutter large compositions while keeping everything organized. A folder-based masking system would also allow multiple layers to be masked at once, improving workflow efficiency. Unlike pre-compositions, folders would let users access and edit keyframes of grouped layers directly within the main composition – making it easier to align animations while keeping an overview of the entire project.