Composition Precomp
Updated: 27 Mar 2024
Pre-composite a separate layer as a video source.
Composition Precomp
Method #
This node pre-composites a layer so it can be rendered inside another layer. Any exposed values from inside that layer will also be carried over into the new layer.
Multiple nodes in one scene will re-render that original layer, so make sure to use as few layer precomp nodes as possible and branch out with Video Nulls.
Outputs are an image or video that can be connected to any relevant video input, most commonly an Image 2D node, or a Post FX Node.
Parameters
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Source Composition
Select a composition to precomposite.
Render Width
Change the width of the rendered layer. When set to 0, the render width will match the current compositions resolution.
Render Height
Change the height of the rendered layer. When set to 0, the render height will match the current compositions resolution.
Time Mode
Change relative time in which the precomped layer is running.
- Node Relative : Time will be relative to the start and end time of the node.
- Layer Relative : Time will be relative to the start and end time of the layer.
- Global : Time will be relative to the start and end time of the project.
- Use Deltas (Looping) : Time will use its own time and run continuously.
Time Offset
Offset the start time of the layer.
Playback Speed
Speed at which the layer is played at.
Looping
Enable or disable the layer from looping at the end.
Loop Start Time
Offset the start time of the layer after each loop.
Update Active
Enable or disable the layer from re-rendering to the current scene. When disabled, a static image will be output.
Optimise Memory Usage On Idle
This will dynamically remove memory data if the node isn’t active. This can optimise memory usage, but can cause issues loading a precomp if it is sufficiently large.
Hide Handles, Bounding Boxes and Range Indicators
Toggles the visibility of handles, bounding boxes and range indicators.
Preview In Viewport
Preview the generated image as an overlay in the viewport.
- Off : No preview is generated.
- RGBA : Preview the image blended with alpha in the viewport.
- RGB : Preview the colour channels in the viewport.
- Alpha : Preview the alpha channel in the viewport.
- PIP : Preview the image blended with alpha in the viewport, in a smaller picture in picture display, on top of the existing content.
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
Parameter Details Duration
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
- Composition Duration : Use the length of the composition for the node’s time segment duration.
- Custom : Set a custom duration for the node’s time segment.
Node Time
The custom start and end time for the node.
Duration (Timecode)
The length of the node’s time segment (in time).
Duration (Frames)
The length of the node’s time segment (in frames).
Time Segment Enabled
Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline.
Inputs
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Source Composition | Select a composition to precomposite. |
| Render Width | Change the width of the rendered layer. When set to 0, the render width will match the current compositions resolution. |
| Render Height | Change the height of the rendered layer. When set to 0, the render height will match the current compositions resolution. |
| Time Mode |
Change relative time in which the precomped layer is running.
|
| Time Offset | Offset the start time of the layer. |
| Playback Speed | Speed at which the layer is played at. |
| Looping | Enable or disable the layer from looping at the end. |
| Loop Start Time | Offset the start time of the layer after each loop. |
| Update Active | Enable or disable the layer from re-rendering to the current scene. When disabled, a static image will be output. |
| Optimise Memory Usage On Idle | This will dynamically remove memory data if the node isn’t active. This can optimise memory usage, but can cause issues loading a precomp if it is sufficiently large. |
| Hide Handles, Bounding Boxes and Range Indicators | Toggles the visibility of handles, bounding boxes and range indicators. |
| Preview In Viewport |
Preview the generated image as an overlay in the viewport.
|
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration |
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
|
| Node Time | The custom start and end time for the node. |
| Duration (Timecode) | The length of the node’s time segment (in time). |
| Duration (Frames) | The length of the node’s time segment (in frames). |
| Time Segment Enabled | Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Effect Mask | Mask out areas that Post-FX applied to this node won’t be applied. | Video Loader |
| Alpha Image | Use a separate video nodes luminance values to overwrite the alpha channel of the image. | Video Loader |
