What It Does

Un-PreCompose reverses After Effects’ built-in precompose function. Select a precomp in your timeline, run the script, and it extracts all nested layers into the parent composition. Effects, keyframes, and expressions transfer to the extracted layers, maintaining their appearance and animation.

Key Features

Batch extraction. Process multiple precomps at once instead of one at a time. Select several nested comps and extract their contents in a single operation.

Expression correction. When layers use random() expressions without controlled seeds, the script attempts to correct their placement after extraction. This prevents randomized elements from jumping to new positions.

Automatic naming. Extracted layers get prefixed with their source precomp name. If you extract from a comp called “BG_Elements”, each layer arrives labeled “BG_Elements - [original name]”. Helpful for tracking layer origins in complex timelines.

Native Apple Silicon support. Runs natively on M1/M2/M3 Macs without Rosetta translation.

The script preserves position, scale, rotation, opacity, and other transform properties during extraction. Effects applied to the precomp layer transfer to each extracted layer, though some effect categories (3D depth effects, particle simulations) may change appearance after extraction.

Known Limitations

Extraction works best with standard 2D layer arrangements. Complications appear when:

  • The precomp and parent comp each have their own camera in a 3D scene
  • Layers use expressions with non-seeded randomization
  • 3D effects or particle systems generate content based on comp context

Test the extraction on a duplicate comp first when working with complex 3D setups or effects-heavy projects.

Who It’s For

Useful for cleaning up over-nested project structures, flattening client deliverables, or reorganizing inherited projects. Motion designers working with template files often use it to simplify layer hierarchies before customization.

Pricing

Pay-what-you-want starting at free. The suggested price is $29.99. Individual users can pay any amount (including $0), but teams and businesses need to pay the suggested price for a valid license. No subscription, perpetual license. Originally released in 2011, rewritten in 2022 with new features and modern After Effects compatibility.