Precomps can be a blessing or a curse. Knowing when to use them is key. They can really help, but overusing them can quickly turn your project into a messy nightmare!
What is a Precomp?
(You probably already know this but I'll repeat it for emphasis) 😉
Precomposing means taking one or more layers that are already in a composition and turning them into a composition of their own, a.k.a. a precomp.
When should you precompose things?
Making changes to an entire composition
If you want to animate and apply effects to the entire comp. (P.s. You can also add effects using an adjustment layer = much tidier 😋)Reusing anything you build
If you're creating an animation that you know you'll use multiple times throughout your piece.Make changes in one go
If you make changes in your precomp, those changes affect every composition in which it is used.Add another set of transform properties to a layer
But TBH this can also be done by attaching your layers to a Null object 🙈
When should you absolutely not need to precompose?
If none of the above apply 👆 it’s simple: no need for a precomp.
But why? Creating precomps for no reason makes it harder to get to the core file and change something + it clutters up your project for no reason 🤭
💪 Good to know: Keeping it nice and simple also makes it a whole lot easier for us if we need to make any changes to your files!