Move artwork with the header
Grouping alone organizes timeline layers. To make eligible layers follow the header’s transforms, right-click the group and choose Parent to header. A checkmark shows that Accordion has assigned parents.
Accordion parents unparented direct members and nested group headers to this group’s header. Layers with an existing parent keep it. Their visible transforms are preserved when the parent is assigned. Move the header in After Effects to move the layers that now follow it.
Nested contents only follow a nested header when they are parented to it. Enable Parent to header on the inner group too when you want that whole hierarchy to move together.
Choose Parent to header again to release the relationships Accordion recorded. A recorded layer still parented to this header becomes unparented. Relationships you changed to another parent are left alone.
Holding Alt while clicking Group enables parenting during creation.
Use one member as an alpha matte
Right-click the group, choose Group matte, then choose the member that should supply the alpha matte. The selected member gets a checkmark.
Every other direct member uses that layer as an alpha track matte. The chosen matte and the Group FX adjustment layer are excluded.
This needs After Effects 2023 or later. On an earlier version, Group matte needs After Effects 2023 or later appears and the action does not run.
The menu lists up to 40 direct members, excluding the Group FX layer. Nested members are not offered or changed by the outer group’s matte command. Set their matte from the inner group.
Choosing a matte replaces other track matte assignments on the affected members. None removes assignments still pointing to the group’s remembered matte. It does not restore earlier matte assignments. Choosing another matte removes the old group-matte connections before applying the new ones.
If you see Pick a layer from this group, reopen the menu and choose a current direct member.
Add a group adjustment layer
Right-click the group and choose Group FX. Accordion adds a comp-sized adjustment layer named Title · FX directly below the header. It uses the header’s label color and in/out range. Add effects to that layer in After Effects.
The adjustment layer folds, selects, moves, duplicates, and responds to group switches with the other members. The row displays ↓ affects below, or ↓ FX when space is limited.
Group FX also affects layers below the group. It is an ordinary After Effects adjustment layer. The group boundary does not limit its effects. Folding it only hides its timeline row, so its effects remain active.
Choose Group FX again to delete that adjustment layer, including the effects you added to it. Accordion also removes its solid source if it is unused. Use After Effects Undo if you remove it accidentally.