Choose the depth
Select your precomp layer or Project panel comp, then right-click Copy. Choose All nested comps, 1 level, or Pick nested comps…. The depth reference lists what each choice includes.
For a version that shares its background but has different text, choose Pick nested comps….
Select the parts that need their own copies
The Unique copies list shows the selected source comp and its nested comps. The top comp is always checked and cannot be unchecked.
Check the parts you want to edit independently. Unchecked comps keep using their original sources.
- Check the nested comp you want to change, such as
Letter shapes. - Review the other checks. Copycat also checks every comp between your choice and the top comp, so the new version can reach your copied child.
- Click the checkmark button, Done, or click outside the list to close it.
- Click Copy, or Alt-click it to copy in place.
Unchecking a parent clears the selected children beneath it. Checking a parent copies that comp without automatically checking all of its children.
In this example, the result is a new Title card copy containing Text animation copy, which contains Letter shapes copy. Its Background layer still uses the original Background comp.
Reopen and review
Click Pick to reopen the list. Its number counts the nested comps marked for copying, including the automatically included parents. The top comp is additional.
Hover Copy in a roomy slot to read the total number of comps that will be created. This is a preview, so hovering does not make a copy. Hover again after changing the After Effects selection to refresh it.
If a nested comp appears more than once in a tree, one copy serves those repeated uses. The repeated row’s tooltip says Used again here; one copy serves both. Separate selected top-level sources each get their own copied tree.
If the list says Select a precomp, select a precomp layer or a comp in After Effects, then close and reopen the list. The selection rules explain which source it reads.