the now-empty pre-composition layer from the timeline. Comparison Table Key Benefit Un-PreCompose Pay-what-you-want Best at preserving 3D placement and effects AEUX One-click solution within a broader workflow tool Batch Un-Precompose Pay-what-you-want Processes many pre-comps simultaneously Manual Method No installation needed; 100% reliable for simple comps
For years, After Effects users had to manually enter nested compositions, copy layers, and paste them back into the main timeline—a tedious process that often messed up layer positioning and timing. While Adobe eventually added a built-in feature, many professionals found it "buggy" or insufficient for complex workflows.
Hit the main button. The script will instantly extract the hidden layers, place them accurately into your main timeline, and maintain all keyframe data.
Navigate to your After Effects installation folder on your computer. Go to Support Files > Scripts > ScriptUI Panels . Paste the file into the ScriptUI Panels folder. Step 3: Run the Plugin Open or restart After Effects. Go to the top menu and click on . Scroll to the bottom of the dropdown list. Click on Unprecompose.jsx to open the floating panel. 💡 Pro Tips for Using Unprecompose
The Un-PreCompose plugin is offered on a "pay-what-you-want" (Name Your Own Price) basis. This means you can legally download it for free directly from the developer's official page on . The official download page states: "Un-Precompose remains a free / pay-what-you-want tool. Please be sure to test the plugin first before deciding to pay for it, if you choose to do so". When you proceed to checkout, you can simply enter a price of $0 to complete the free download. However, while aescripts.com is the official source, many third-party websites also offer the plugin as a free download. Below is a summary of the most popular and reliable sources identified in this research:
Move your current time indicator (CTI) to the exact start frame of the original precomp layer. Paste the layers using / Cmd + V .