Precomps

4 min read

Precomps let you group items into a self-contained composition with its own local timeline. Children animate independently within the precomp while the precomp itself can move, scale, and animate on the global timeline.

Timeline showing precomp group
A precomp in the timeline with its own local loop duration

What Are Precomps?

Think of a precomp as a “scene within a scene”:

Feature Regular Group Precomp
Timeline Shared global timeline Own local timeline
Looping Follows global loop Can loop independently
Animation Items animate on global time Items animate on local time
Nesting Visual grouping only True composition nesting

Creating a Precomp

  1. Select the items you want to include
  2. Right-click and choose Create Precomp, or use the menu
  3. Set the local timeline duration (e.g., 2 seconds)
  4. Enable Loop if you want the children to repeat

The selected items are wrapped into a precomp group with their own time context.

Local vs. Global Timeline

Timeline Controls Use For
Local Children inside the precomp Repeating animations (bounce, spin, pulse)
Global The precomp group itself Position, scale, opacity of the whole group

Example

A bouncing ball precomp:

  • Local timeline (2 seconds, looping): Ball bounces up and down
  • Global timeline (5 seconds): The precomp slides from left to right

Result: The ball bounces continuously while moving across the screen.

Precomp Settings

Setting Description
Duration Length of the local timeline (seconds)
Loop Whether children loop at the duration
Name Label for the precomp in the timeline
Offset Global time offset before the precomp starts

Managing Precomp Contents

Adding Items

To add an item to an existing precomp:

  1. Select the item to add
  2. Drag it onto the precomp in the timeline or groups panel
  3. The item moves into the precomp’s local timeline

Removing Items

To remove an item from a precomp:

  1. Expand the precomp in the groups panel
  2. Select the item to remove
  3. Right-click and choose Remove from Precomp
  4. The item returns to the main canvas timeline

Animating the Precomp Group

The precomp group itself can have keyframe animations on the global timeline:

  1. Select the precomp group (click its border or select in the groups panel)
  2. Add keyframes in the timeline for position, scale, rotation, opacity
  3. The children continue their local animations while the group moves

Tip: Use precomps to create reusable animated elements. For example, create an animated loading spinner as a precomp, then duplicate it wherever you need it.

Use Cases

Use Case Setup
Loading spinner Rotating items in a 1s loop precomp
Character walk cycle Pose keyframes in a 1s loop, precomp slides across screen
Repeating particle Particle animation in 2s loop, precomp positioned in scene
Title sequence Text reveal in local timeline, precomp fades in globally
UI component Interactive element isolated in its own composition

Tips

  1. Keep local animations short - 1-3 seconds works best for looping precomps
  2. Use for repetition - Any animation that repeats is a good precomp candidate
  3. Nest sparingly - One level of nesting is usually sufficient
  4. Name your precomps - Use descriptive names for complex projects
  5. Test loop points - Ensure looping animations connect smoothly at the loop boundary

Related: Keyframe Editor | Animations | Timeline Panel