What It Does
Hidden Layer Cleanser scans After Effects compositions to find layers with visibility turned off, then removes them in bulk. Built for cleaning up projects before archiving or client handoff, it works at both the composition and project level.
The script recognizes layers you still need. A hidden layer used as a parent, track matte, or displacement map stays put. Everything else gets flagged for removal.
Key Features
Composition-level cleanup. Select a comp, run the scan, and review a list of hidden layers before deleting them. Useful when working on a single composition or troubleshooting a specific timeline.
Project-level batch processing. Point the script at a parent folder and it processes every composition inside with one click. Handles large projects where manually checking dozens of comps would take hours.
Safety guardrails. The script skips hidden layers that other layers depend on: parent layers, track mattes, or layers referenced by effects like displacement maps. This prevents broken links after cleanup.
Preview before delete. The script shows you the layers it found before making changes. You confirm the selection, so nothing gets removed by accident.
Who It’s For
Motion designers and editors preparing projects for archival or client delivery. Studios standardizing project cleanup across teams. Anyone working with templates or stock files cluttered with unused layers.
Compatible with After Effects versions from CS6 through 2025.
Pricing
Pay-what-you-want model with a suggested minimum of $6.99. Individual users can choose their price. Businesses and teams are expected to pay the suggested amount for a valid license.
