Add Explode to Motion Dock

  1. Click Edit layout in Motion Dock’s top bar.
  2. Click an empty area and choose Explode from the module picker.
  3. Click Exit layout mode.

If Explode is already in this layout, use its existing slot.

Make two pieces

  1. Open a practice composition in After Effects.
  2. With no layer selected, draw a rectangle using the Rectangle Tool. Keep that shape layer selected and draw an ellipse using the Ellipse Tool.
  3. Expand the layer’s Contents. Check that both shapes are groups inside the same layer. Rename the groups Body and Dot.
  4. Select the shape layer in the Timeline and click Explode without holding a modifier key.

You should now have selected layers named Body and Dot. Each holds one group in its original position. With the default settings, the original layer remains shy and switched off, and each piece has its own centered anchor.

Select Dot and change its Position to confirm you can move it independently. Use Edit > Undo to reverse that move, then undo again to reverse the split.

If nothing splits

Select a shape layer to explode means the selection is empty or has no usable shape layer. Select the layer itself in the active composition’s Timeline.

Nothing to split at this depth means there are fewer than two pieces at the chosen depth. For this exercise, check that Body and Dot sit directly under Contents. For nested artwork, use the depth options.