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After Effects

Pre-compose Shortcut in After Effects

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Ctrl
Shift
C
What It Does

Groups selected layers into a new composition.

Pro Workflow Insight

The single most important organizational tool in After Effects. Pre-composing simplifies complex projects, allows you to reuse animated elements, and is essential for building advanced visual effects and motion graphics hierarchies.

Step-by-Step

Select one or more layers in your timeline. Press Ctrl + Shift + C. A dialog will appear, letting you name the new composition and choose how to transfer attributes. The selected layers are then replaced by a single pre-comp layer.

Time Saved

1 min

Estimated time saved with each use of this shortcut.

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