Storing Layers

Store Layers

Stores the selected layers as a form of an extended clipboard (Win: [1] Ctrl+Shift+6, [2] Ctrl+Shift+7, [3] Ctrl+Shift+8; Mac: no default shortcut).

Sometimes, you're using the same layer/s over and over again in a project. When you're compositing a shot, you want to paste the base footage very frequently to do all kinds of manipulations to it. Or you need to use a set of assets multiple times. That's what Store Layers is supposed to be useful for. Just select the desired layer/s and hit Store Layers. The next time, you need the layer/s again, hit Paste Stored Layers, preferably by the shortcut to be as quick as possible.

How Store Layers works

When executing Store Layers, the selected layers will be copied to a new comp (a Store Comp). Because of the way Store Layers works, stored layers are available on a project basis. When you're opening a new project, the layers from the old project aren't stored anymore and therefore can't be pasted. When you're coming back to the project, though, the layers can be pasted again.

(Fixed in version 1.0.5) You cannot move a Store Comp out of the Store Folder in the project panel. If you do, pasting stored layers doesn't work anymore.

Storing multiple Sets of Layers

There are up to three Store Comps available, so you can define four different sets of layers you want to store. (Store Layers 2 and Store Layers 3 are only available via shortcut, or by executing Store Layer/s by ID.) When you store new layers in an already existing Store Comp, the old layers will be replaced by the new ones.

Storing Layer/s by ID

(Added in version 2.5)

To store layers to other IDs than 1 without executing a keyboard shortcut, you can execute Store Layer/s by ID. To do so, right-click on the Store Layers-button and select Store Layer/s by ID.

Saving Global Store Comps

(Added in version 2.5)

You can save (and later load) a Global Store Comp. This means that a Store Comp is accessible across AE projects.

To do this, on the Main Menu, right-click on the Store Layers-button and click on Save Global Store Comp.

This will save one of your current Store Comps (either 1, 2 or 3) as a Global Store Comp so that you can open another project and then execute Load Global Store Comp in order to load the Store Comp into the new project.

You may also (as shown on the dialog) store your currently selected layer/s to any of the three Store Comps before saving it as a Global Store Comp.

Additionally, it's possible to export your Global Store Comp to a file. This enables you to share your Global Store Comp with someone else who can quickly load the file via Load Global Store Comp with Import Global Store Comp from File checked.

Paste Stored Layers

Pastes the previously stored layers (Win: [1] Ctrl+Alt+6, [2] Ctrl+Alt+7, [3] Ctrl+Alt+8; Mac: [1] macControl+6).

When you execute Paste Stored Layers, the layers, stored using Store Layers, will be copied back into the current comp, above the topmost selected layer (or, when no layer is selected, to the top of the comp).

By default, layers will be pasted to the time they were originally stored. However, as of version 2.5, you can choose to paste the layers to the current time indicator. Enable this setting by going to Settings > Miscellaneous > When Pasting Stored Layers, paste to Current Time Indicator.

Pasting Stored Layer/s by ID

To paste Stored Layers from any other ID than 1 without executing a keyboard shortcut, you can execute Paste Stored Layer/s by ID. To do so, right-click on the Paste Stored Layers-button and select Paste Stored Layer/s by ID.

Loading Global Store Comps

(Added in version 2.5)

Loads a Global Store Comp that was previously saved via Save Global Store Comp.

To do this, on the Main Menu, right-click on the Paste Stored Layers-button and click on Load Global Store Comp.

This imports the saved Global Store Comp and sets the project's Store Comp 1, 2 or 3 to it.

You may also directly paste the layers of your loaded Global Store Comp.

Additionally, it's possible to import your Global Store Comp from a file by checking Import Global Store Comp from File. This requires a file previously saved via Save Global Store Comp with Export Global Store Comp to File checked. You may use this feature to receive a Store Comp from someone you're working with.