# Delete, Ungroup and Dissolve Groups
## Delete Layer / Clone / Group / Pre-Render
Deletes regular layers, *Precomp Clones,* groups, or pre-renders (Win: Shift+FwdDel, Mac: Shift+Delete).
Select either a regular layer, a *Precomp Clone* layer, a group header, or a layer holding a pre-render and then execute *Delete Layer / Clone / Group / Pre-Render*.
### Deleting Regular Layers
If you delete a regular layer that is contained in a *Precomp Clone*, it will remove the layer from the *Precomp Clone* as well.
If you delete a track matte layer, it will remove the track matte state from the layer below.
Otherwise, it is identical to AE's *Delete* when deleting regular layers.
### Deleting Precomp Clones
If you delete a *Precomp Clone*, the function will also delete the clone comp item from the project window. If you would delete the *Precomp Clone* using AE's *Delete*, only the layer within the comp, not the clone comp itself would be deleted. Because of that, expression errors will appear since the expressions on the clone layers cannot reference the *Precomp Clone* anymore. That's why it is always advised to use *Delete Layer / Clone / Group* when deleting a *Precomp Clone*.
{% hint style="info" %}
In case, unused clone comps already exist and expression errors accumulate, open up the settings, go to the *Cloning* tab and click *Delete Unused Precomp Clones*.
{% endhint %}
### Deleting Groups
Just deleting all group layers individually still would leave the additional, shy'd layers from the group, so always use *Delete Layer / Clone / Group* to delete a group, or alternatively use *Select Group* and then use AE's *Delete*.
### Deleting or Unsetting Pre-Renders
As of [version 2.5](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/releases#id-2-5), the function also deletes or unsets pre-renders. To do this, select the desired layers with pre-render and execute the function.
It will give you the option to either:
* Unset the pre-render but keep the layer as well as the pre-render file on disk
* Remove the layer but keep the pre-render file on disk
* Remove the layer as well as remove the pre-render file on disk
### Deleting Linked Masks
As of [version 2.5](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/releases#id-2-5), when you execute *Delete Layer / Clone / Group* while having a mask selected, *Workflower* will remove the mask as well as all [Linked Masks](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/main-functions/connections#adding-linked-masks) referencing the mask (and their corresponding effect).
Additionally, when you execute *Delete Layer / Clone / Group* while having a [Linked Mask](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/main-functions/connections#adding-linked-masks) or its corresponding effect selected, *Workflower* will remove the *Linked Mask* as well as the effect.
## Ungroup Layers
Releases layers from a group, or a group from another group (Win+Mac: Shift+H).
{% hint style="info" %}
*Note for Mac users and when using* [*Individual Scripts Mode*](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/main-functions/shortcuts#individual-scripts-mode-windows-+-mac) *on Windows:*\
The default shortcut for this function has been added in [version 1.1](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/releases#1-1).
{% endhint %}
All selected layers or groups will be ungrouped and moved below the group they were contained in. This is especially useful when the containing group is right at the bottom of another group. If you would move the layers below by yourself and then execute *Refresh Layout*, the layers would then be shifted two levels upwards instead of one. In these circumstances, use *Ungroup* instead to only move them one level upwards.
As of [version 1.1](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/releases#1-1), if a group at the highest level is selected, *Ungroup Layers* will move the entire group after the next group at the highest level.
(Removed in [version 1.1](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/releases#1-1) ->) ~~If a group is selected and is at the highest level already, the group will be dissolved completely.~~
## Dissolve Group
Dissolves a group (Win: Ctrl+Shift+FwdDel, Mac: no default shortcut).
Select either the group header or a layer contained in the group and then execute *Dissolve Group*. It will remove the group but will not delete all contained layers, as [Delete Layer / Clone / Group](#delete-layer-clone-group) would. It will release the layers one level upwards, either to a higher group or move them out of groups completely.
### Dissolve Project Item Folder
As of [version 2.5](https://workflower.constantin-maier.com/releases#id-2-5), you can dissolve your currently selected item folder in the project panel.
To access this feature, select your project item, then right-click on the *Dissolve Group*-button and choose *Dissolve Project Item Folder*.
