Open pre-comps as Folders / Groups in the timeline
Folders and groups are the same concept—as the already existing "Pre-comp". The thought behind the "Pre-comp" is to “group” a set of layers. Rather than reinventing the wheel and making After Effects more complicated with added new features like groups and folders, we can improve the functionality of the "Pre-comp".
Here is a demonstration of how that would work: https://vimeo.com/137312858
Suggested Shortcuts:
/ = Split Timeline to show pre-comp. Only works when comps are selected.

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A. H. commented
omg this would be absolute game changer. how is this not already a thing??
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MrBeep commented
I have a dream that one day I will ditch AE for ever. Next year this may come true when Autograph is released.
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Antoine Autokroma.com (Independent Developer of AfterCodecs, BRAW Studio, PlumePack, Influx) commented
Nice Bruno. Francois Grassard does a lot of good stuff, we can trust him on that !
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Bruno Quintin commented
8 people in 3 years, create a new software (https://www.left-angle.com/?language=en) with all the features requested for years. So is it possible to listen to us?
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Hani Altaibi commented
I second this feature request, + we need filters, did you guys ever seen filters on timelines and graph editors in other animation softwares? yes this funnel icon, Ae needs it.
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Nick West commented
Please Adobe.. somebody.. anybody!!! Even if it’s just as simple as allowing folders on the timeline we’ll take it. Ideally within this decade. Thank you!
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Rob Kahn commented
Lumetri panel in Premiere Pro makes is easier to correct color footage. How hard would it be to add in AE?
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Joost de Haas commented
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MrBeep commented
Can't wait Michael ;)
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Michael Szalapski commented
I wish we could react to comments because I literally laughed out loud at @MrBeep's remark.
Just a beautiful joke. If we ever meet at NAB, SIGGRAPH, MAX, or Camp Mograph, I'll get you a beer or something. -
MrBeep commented
Let's see what Tilda Swinton thinks about this.
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Mike Lisii commented
I think most of the people in this thread wants at least some kind of change. Either just a simple grouping in order to not pre-compose or a twirl down to be able to see the pre-composed files without the necesity of opening it. I dont know what is easier but at least something would be better then nothing.
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Michael Langley commented
Have twirl down accessibility on comps and precomps - so you can directly access a layer within a comp without leaving the holding comp i.e direct drill-down from the main timeline (revealing the nesting in the main timeline). This would make adjustments to elements within comps that are timing critical less of a hit and miss and make things SO much easier :-)
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SomeGreek commented
I wish we could just have timeline folders without having to destructively precompose. Precomping ruins so many things, like set mattes, layer orders etc.
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Christopher Lis commented
Don't agree with the vimeo layout, I think this should just be a folder dropdown similar to XD's grouping mechanism, but this needs to happen either way.
Can we expect this feature in our lifetime? The request was posted in 2018 and any program being developed in 2020 should be able to implement simple folder functionality. Pre-comps are old school and provide for such a bad experience.
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Christopher Lis commented
Dude yes, I feel like this is such an easy programming task with so much value. Needs to happen.
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Mat Zdz commented
It would be great if I could expand a composition on the timeline like you can do it with folder in photoshop.
This way I could view all layers and keyframes directly from a parent comp without having to switch between comps.
Adobe, please add that feature! It would be a huuuuge time saver and workflow optimization.
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MrBeep commented
I guess it will be Amazing Than Ever since Adobe is implementing this feature for soooo long time.
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Johann Malawana commented
Amazing demo, this is exactly what we need, not having this feature yet negatively impacts the workflow.
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Michael Funk commented
ist not the first request of this kind, but i still miss folders in the comp/timeline window for more comfort. it not always make sense to have something in a pre comp – especially when its animated – and to jump back and forth to adjust keyframes. it would be so great to have it all in one comp and just pack layers into folders and giving them a mask too. the set mask option does not compensate the miss of folders with masks – just think of a photoshop without folders for big composition jobs – unthinkable today : )
a big comp with many layers in after effects could be clear and structured with folder and a time saver.