# Align to
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/align-pro/align-to

Choose what your layers align relative to.

Every action in Align Pro (align, distribute, and distribute spacing) is measured against a target you choose first. This is the **Align to** control at the top of the panel, shown as either a row of icon buttons or a dropdown menu depending on your [panel preferences](/align-pro/preferences).

| Target      | Aligns/distributes relative to...                                                                                                                                                      |
| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Composition | The composition frame.                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Outside     | The same as Composition, but layers land just outside the frame edges instead of flush against them. Handy for positioning layers off-screen before or after a slide in/out.           |
| Selection   | The combined bounding box of your current selection.                                                                                                                                   |
| Key Layer   | The first layer you selected (the **key layer**). Every other selected layer moves; the key layer never does.                                                                          |
| Title Safe  | After Effects’ title-safe margin, set in **Preferences > Grids & Guides**. Hold **Alt**/**Option** while clicking an align or distribute button to use the action-safe margin instead. |

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Some Align to targets disable specific buttons or modifiers that wouldn’t make sense together. For example, Outside disables centering, since "outside" is only meaningful at an edge. See [Modifiers](/align-pro/modifiers#some-combinations-are-disabled).
</Callout>


# Aligning and distributing
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/align-pro/aligning-and-distributing

Align, distribute, and equalize gaps between layers.

These are the core actions in the panel: align layers to an edge or center, distribute them evenly, or equalize the gaps between them. All of them are measured against whatever [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) target is currently selected.

## Align

Moves every selected layer to line up on one edge or center:

| Button             | Effect                                     |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------ |
| Align Left         | Lines up the left edges.                   |
| Align Horizontally | Centers layers on the horizontal (x) axis. |
| Align Right        | Lines up the right edges.                  |
| Align Top          | Lines up the top edges.                    |
| Align Vertically   | Centers layers on the vertical (y) axis.   |
| Align Bottom       | Lines up the bottom edges.                 |
| Align Center       | Centers layers on both axes at once.       |

## Distribute

Spaces three or more layers so a given edge or center is evenly stepped between the first and last layer:

| Button                  | Spaces layers so their...                |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| Distribute Top          | ...top edges are evenly spaced.          |
| Distribute Vertically   | ...vertical centers are evenly spaced.   |
| Distribute Bottom       | ...bottom edges are evenly spaced.       |
| Distribute Left         | ...left edges are evenly spaced.         |
| Distribute Horizontally | ...horizontal centers are evenly spaced. |
| Distribute Right        | ...right edges are evenly spaced.        |

## Distribute spacing

Instead of evenly spacing an edge or center, these two buttons equalize the **empty gap** between adjacent layers:

| Button                          | Effect                                |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Distribute Spacing Vertically   | Equal vertical gaps between layers.   |
| Distribute Spacing Horizontally | Equal horizontal gaps between layers. |

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  The **spacing amount** field only takes effect when Align to is set to **Key Layer**. It’s the exact pixel gap used between the key layer and every other layer, cascading outward in both directions. For every other Align to target, gaps are calculated automatically to fill the available space evenly, and the field is ignored.
</Callout>

Type a value into the spacing field directly, or click the **+**/**-** steppers beside it (hold **Shift** for 10px steps).


# Modifiers
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/align-pro/modifiers

Group, anchor, and mask modifiers.

Modifiers are toggle buttons that change how Align Pro measures a layer, rather than where it moves it to.

| Modifier         | Effect                                                                                                                                                      |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Align as Group   | Moves the whole selection together as one rigid block, preserving each layer’s position relative to the others, instead of moving each layer independently. |
| Align to Anchors | Uses each layer’s anchor point instead of its bounding box. Useful when a layer’s anchor has already been offset for another effect.                        |
| Align to Masks   | Uses a layer’s mask shape instead of its visible content when calculating its bounds. Only affects layers that actually have a mask.                        |

## Some combinations are disabled

Align Pro greys out buttons and modifiers that wouldn’t produce a meaningful result together:

* **Align to Outside** disables Align Horizontally, Align Vertically, Align Center, and Align to Anchors, since outside alignment only makes sense relative to an edge.
* **Align to Selection** disables Align as Group, since you can’t align a group to its own bounds.
* **Align to Key Layer** combined with **Align to Anchors** disables Align Left, Right, Top, and Bottom, leaving only centering, since an anchor is a single point with no distinct edges.
* **Align as Group** disables Align to Selection, Align to Anchors, and every Distribute and Distribute Spacing button, since a rigid group has no relative spacing left to distribute.
* **Align to Masks** disables Align to Anchors, since an anchor point doesn’t have a mask shape.
* **Align to Anchors** disables Align to Outside, Align as Group, Align to Masks, and the four edge-based Distribute buttons (Top, Bottom, Left, Right). Centering and Distribute Spacing still work, since an anchor’s "center" is just its point.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  If a control is disabled, it’s because the current [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) target or another active modifier makes it meaningless in that combination. This is expected, not a bug. See [Troubleshooting](/align-pro/troubleshooting).
</Callout>

You can set default modifiers and an Align to target for new sessions in [Preferences](/align-pro/preferences).


# Overview
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/align-pro/overview

A total replacement for the native Align panel.

The align tool in After Effects is limited, unpredictable, and missing core functionality. So, we reimagined it.

We’ve introduced distributing layers with precise spacing, aligning to key layers, to title & action safe zones, to masks, to anchor points, and even to the outside edges of the composition.

In short, everything you’d expect from Illustrator’s Align panel is now possible in After Effects, and then some.

## Key features

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Five align-to targets" icon="target" href="/align-pro/align-to">
    The composition, outside the frame, the selection, a key layer, or title/action-safe zones.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Align and distribute" icon="align-center-horizontal" href="/align-pro/aligning-and-distributing">
    The full native toolset, plus distribute spacing with an exact pixel amount.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Align as group" icon="layers" href="/align-pro/modifiers">
    Move the whole selection as one block, preserving relative positions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Align to masks" icon="pen-tool" href="/align-pro/modifiers">
    Measure a layer’s bounds by its mask shape instead of its visible content.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Align to anchors" icon="anchor" href="/align-pro/modifiers">
    Measure by anchor point instead of bounding box.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fine-tuning settings" icon="cog" href="/align-pro/preferences#settings">
    Paragraph text detection, ignoring parents, selection order, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Customizable panel" icon="palette" href="/align-pro/preferences#appearance">
    Choose which controls show, the orientation, theme, and accent color.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Every operation is a normal, undoable step in your After Effects history.

## Requirements

* After Effects version 18.4 or later
* An active Align Pro license, activated through the Tack Studio app (see [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools))


# Preferences
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/align-pro/preferences

Defaults, settings and appearance.

Preferences is where you set defaults, tune how alignment is calculated, and customize the panel’s appearance. You can open it from the panel’s flyout menu. Changes take effect after you click **Save**, which also reloads the main panel.

Preferences has three tabs: **Functionality**, **Appearance**, and **Information**.

## Functionality

### Defaults

Sets what the panel starts with each time you open it:

* **Align to**: the default [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) target.
* **Modifiers**: which [modifiers](/align-pro/modifiers) start active.
* **Spacing Amount**: the default value in the distribute spacing field, in pixels.

### Settings

Toggles that change how Align Pro calculates a layer’s bounds:

| Setting                      | Effect                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Detect Paragraph Text        | Measures paragraph (box) text layers by their text box, rather than the edges of the visible text.                                                                             |
| Use Average as Center Point  | When aligning to the center of your selection, uses the average of each layer’s own center instead of the center of the selection’s combined bounding box.                     |
| Use Entire Mask              | When [Align to Masks](/align-pro/modifiers) is on, uses the mask’s full shape instead of clipping it to the layer’s own visible bounds.                                        |
| Ignore Masks on Shape Layers | When Align to Masks is on, skips mask bounds specifically for shape layers, using the shape’s own geometry instead.                                                            |
| Use Shape Extents            | Includes stroke width and other rendering extents when measuring a layer’s bounds.                                                                                             |
| Ignore Layers Parents        | Temporarily detaches each selected layer from its parent before aligning, then reattaches it, so a parent’s transform doesn’t skew the result. We recommend this is turned on. |
| Use Selection Order          | When distributing, breaks ties between layers at the exact same position using the order you selected them, rather than their layer stacking order.                            |

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  **Use Shape Extents** is experimental, so expect occasional weirdness.
</Callout>

## Appearance

### Theme

**System**, **Darkest**, **Dark**, or **Light**. Darkest works on any After Effects version; the others require After Effects 25 or later and are unavailable below it.

### UI Layout

* **Orientation**: **Default**, **Vertical**, or **Horizontal**, to match how you’ve docked the panel. Choosing Vertical or Horizontal automatically turns off Labels and Show Menu, since there isn’t room for them.
* **Elements**: choose what appears in the panel:
  * **Labels**: the text headings above each section (Align Layers, Distribute Layers, and so on).
  * **Show Menu**: displays the [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) control as a dropdown menu instead of a row of icon buttons.
  * **Align**, **Distribute**, **Spacing**, **Modifiers**: show or hide each control section independently, so the panel only contains what you use.

### Color

Sets the accent color used for active/selected buttons. Choose a preset or enter a **Custom** hex value.

## Information

Shows the installed version and your license status.


# Troubleshooting
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/align-pro/troubleshooting

Common issues and how to fix them.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The panel shows a message instead of the controls">
    Align Pro checks your license against the Tack Studio app before it shows its controls. You’ll see one of two messages:

    * **"Open the Tack Studio app"**: Align Pro can’t reach the Tack Studio app on your computer. Make sure it’s installed and running, then click **Refresh** in the panel. If you don’t have it yet, click **Download the app**.
    * **"Activate using the Tack Studio app"**: the Tack Studio app is running, but no license is active. Either activate Align Pro in the app, or click **Purchase** to buy it, then click **Refresh** once complete.

    See [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools) for the full activation flow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Clicking align or distribute does nothing">
    If the activation screen has appeared in place of the controls, see the first entry above. Otherwise, check your selection. Align Pro works on AV, shape, and text layers, but not 3D layers, and most distribute actions need at least two or three layers selected.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A button or modifier is disabled">
    Some [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) targets and [modifiers](/align-pro/modifiers) conflict, and Align Pro disables the combinations that wouldn’t produce a meaningful result. For example, Align to Outside disables centering, and Align as Group disables every Distribute button. See [Modifiers: some combinations are disabled](/align-pro/modifiers#some-combinations-are-disabled) for the full list.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Distribute buttons are disabled">
    Distribute needs at least two or three selected layers depending on the [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) target, and is disabled entirely while **Align as Group** is active, since a rigid group has no relative spacing to distribute. Select more layers or turn off Align as Group.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Changing the spacing amount doesn’t seem to do anything">
    The spacing amount field only takes effect when [Align to](/align-pro/align-to) is set to **Key Layer**. For every other target, gaps are calculated automatically to fill the available space evenly. See [Aligning and distributing](/align-pro/aligning-and-distributing).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Some theme options are disabled in Preferences">
    The **System**, **Dark**, and **Light** themes require After Effects 25 or later. On earlier versions, only **Darkest** is available.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Align Pro doesn’t appear in the Extensions menu">
    Align Pro requires **After Effects 18.4 or later**. Check your version (**Help > About After Effects**) and update if needed, then check **Window > Extensions > Align Pro** again. If it’s still missing, reinstall via the Tack Studio app.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


# Choosing what to collect
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/collect-files-pro/choosing-what-to-collect

Scope the collection to exactly the comps you need.

The **Collect** dropdown at the top of the dialog decides which compositions (and therefore which footage files) end up in the collected project.

| Option             | Collects                                                                                               |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| All                | Every composition and every footage file in the project, used or not.                                  |
| For All Comps      | Every composition, plus only the footage actually used in them.                                        |
| For Selected Comps | The compositions selected in your Project panel. Disabled unless at least one composition is selected. |
| For Queued Comps   | The compositions queued in the Render Queue. Disabled unless at least one item has Queued status.      |
| Regular Expression | Every composition whose name matches the pattern you type in the field beside the dropdown.            |

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  For Selected Comps, For Queued Comps, and Regular Expression automatically pull in every **precomp** nested inside the comps they match, so you never end up with a collected project full of missing precomps.
</Callout>

Compositions outside the scope are **removed from the collected copy** of the project (your original is untouched), and footage not used by any collected comp isn’t copied.

## Regular expression

With **Regular Expression** selected, type a pattern into the field beside the dropdown and every composition whose name matches it is collected. The summary at the bottom of the dialog updates live, so you can see how many comps the pattern catches before you commit.

A few things to know:

* Patterns use standard regular expression syntax and are **case-sensitive**.
* A pattern matches anywhere in the name: `v02` catches `Shot_v02_final`. Anchor with `^` (starts with) and `$` (ends with) to be exact.
* An invalid or empty pattern matches nothing, and the summary will show 0 comps.

Some useful patterns:

| Pattern         | Matches                                               |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| `^MAIN`         | Comps whose name starts with `MAIN`.                  |
| `_v02$`         | Comps whose name ends with `_v02`.                    |
| `^(16x9\|9x16)` | Comps starting with either `16x9` or `9x16`.          |
| `Shot_\d+`      | `Shot_` followed by any number: `Shot_01`, `Shot_42`. |


# Collect options
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/collect-files-pro/collect-options

Every option explained.

## Collect to folder

Collects the project into a new folder of your choice. The project file keeps its original name, and the footage, fonts, and render folders are created inside.

With this **off**, you instead choose a name and location for the collected project file itself, and the folders are created alongside it. This is useful when collecting several projects into one shared location, usually together with [Prefix project file name to folders](#prefix-project-file-name-to-folders).

## Add suffix

Appends a suffix to the default destination name suggested in the save dialog: to the **folder** name when Collect to folder is on (default `_folder`), or to the **file** name when it’s off (default `_collected`).

## Collect fonts

Copies every font file used in the collected comps into a fonts folder (default name `(Fonts)`, editable). This includes fonts synced from **Adobe Fonts**.

## Obey proxy settings

If an item has a proxy set up and enabled, only the proxy file is collected instead of both the original and the proxy. With this off, both files are collected.

## Consolidate all footage

Merges duplicate footage items that point at the same source file into one item in the collected project, the same way **File > Consolidate All Footage** does.

## Rename footage folder to

Changes the name of the collected footage folder from the default `(Footage)` to whatever you choose.

## Change render output to

Repoints every eligible item in the Render Queue to a folder (default `(Renders)`) inside the collected location, so the collected project renders into itself, ready to hand to a render machine. Items already rendering, stopped, or done are left alone.

## Enable ‘watch folder’ render

Writes a Render Control File (`.rcf`) alongside the collected project, which lets After Effects’ **watch folder** feature render it across the network. Set the **maximum machines** number (1–99) to cap how many render machines can work on it at once.

The summary at the bottom of the dialog shows how many queued items are **multiple-machine** capable (those with Skip Existing Files enabled) versus **single-machine**.

## Prefix project file name to folders

Prefixes the footage, fonts, and render folder names with the project file’s name, e.g. `(MyProject_Footage)`, so multiple projects can be collected into the same location without their folders colliding. Only available when Collect to folder is off (a dedicated folder already keeps projects separate).

## Generate report

Writes a collection report next to the collected project, in **text**, **markdown**, or both. See [The report](/collect-files-pro/the-report).

## Reveal collected project when finished

Opens the destination folder in Finder (or File Explorer on Windows) when collection completes.

## Open collected project when finished

Leaves the collected copy open in After Effects instead of reopening your original project.


# Overview
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/collect-files-pro/overview

The collect files we all know, but miles better.

Over the years, the native Collect Files tool has been unintuitive and filled with bugs and other weirdness.

As you’d expect, we’ve rebuilt it from the ground up with a completely custom collect function and loaded it with a bunch of new and useful features.

## Key features

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Flexible scope" icon="search" href="/collect-files-pro/choosing-what-to-collect">
    Collect the whole project, only comps actually used, your selection, the render queue, or anything matching a regular expression.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Font collection" icon="type" href="/collect-files-pro/collect-options#collect-fonts">
    Copies the font files used in the project, including locally-synced Adobe Fonts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Proxy-aware" icon="file-symlink" href="/collect-files-pro/collect-options#obey-proxy-settings">
    Optionally collect just the proxy file instead of both the original and the proxy.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Consolidation and renaming" icon="folder-pen" href="/collect-files-pro/collect-options#consolidate-all-footage">
    Merge duplicate footage items and rename the collected footage folder to whatever you like.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Watch-folder render setup" icon="folder-cog" href="/collect-files-pro/collect-options#enable-watch-folder-render">
    Write a Render Control File for network rendering across multiple machines.
  </Card>

  <Card title="A full collection report" icon="file-text" href="/collect-files-pro/the-report">
    Every collected file, composition, effect, font, and 3D renderer used, in text or Markdown.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Requirements

* After Effects 24.5 or later
* An active Collect Files Pro license, activated through the Tack Studio app (see [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools))


# The report
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/collect-files-pro/the-report

What’s in the collection report.

With **Generate report** ticked, Collect Files Pro writes a `<project name>_Report` file next to the collected project, as `.txt`, `.md`, or both, depending on the format you chose.

The report records:

* **Report created**: date and time (GMT).
* **Project file** and **root folder**: what was collected and where it went.
* **Scope**: which [collect option](/collect-files-pro/choosing-what-to-collect) was used.
* **Collected compositions**: every comp in the collection, marked as a **master** comp or a **precomp**.
* **Collected files**: every footage file with its path inside the collection and its size, plus totals for file count, proxy count, and overall size.
* **Render folder**: where render output points, if you enabled [Change render output](/collect-files-pro/collect-options#change-render-output-to).
* **3D renderers**: whether any collected comp uses Advanced 3D, Classic 3D, or Cinema4D, so a render machine knows what it needs to support.
* **Effects used**: every effect with its match name, how many times it’s used, and in which comps. Handy for checking a render farm has the right plugins installed.
* **Fonts used**: every font with its PostScript name, whether it came from Adobe Fonts, and where it’s used.
* **Comments**: whatever you typed into the [Comments box](/collect-files-pro/using-the-panel#comments).

## Masters and precomps

Each collected comp is marked as a **master** or a **precomp**:

* A **master** comp isn’t used inside any other comp; it’s a top-level comp, typically the one you’d render.
* A **precomp** is nested inside another comp somewhere in the collection.

This makes the report an instant map of the project for whoever receives it: the masters are the deliverables, everything else is supporting structure.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  The Markdown version renders nicely anywhere Markdown is supported (GitHub, Notion, Slack), so it doubles as a handoff document when sending a job to another studio or a render farm.
</Callout>


# Troubleshooting
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/collect-files-pro/troubleshooting

Common issues and how to fix them.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The dialog shows a message instead of the controls">
    Collect Files Pro checks your license against the Tack Studio app before it shows its controls. You’ll see one of two messages:

    * **"Open the Tack Studio app"**: Collect Files Pro can’t reach the Tack Studio app on your computer. Make sure it’s installed and running, then click **Refresh**. If you don’t have it yet, click **Download the app**.
    * **"Activate using the Tack Studio app"**: the Tack Studio app is running, but no license is active. Either activate Collect Files Pro in the app, or click **Purchase** to buy it, then click **Refresh** once complete.

    See [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools) for the full activation flow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I’m asked to save the project before collecting">
    This is expected. Collecting starts from the saved project file, so unsaved changes (or a project that’s never been saved) must be saved first. Click yes at the prompt; a never-saved project opens the Save As dialog.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="‘For Selected Comps’ or ‘For Queued Comps’ is disabled">
    * **For Selected Comps** needs at least one composition selected in the Project panel.
    * **For Queued Comps** needs at least one item in the Render Queue with **Queued** status; items that are unqueued, done, or stopped don’t count.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The summary says 0 comps will be collected">
    Your current scope matches nothing. With **Regular Expression** selected, check the pattern, since an empty or invalid expression matches no comps. See [Choosing what to collect](/collect-files-pro/choosing-what-to-collect).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="‘Prefix project file name to folders’ is disabled">
    It’s only available when **Collect to folder** is off. A dedicated folder already keeps each project’s files separate, so there’s nothing for the prefix to disambiguate.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Some fonts weren’t collected">
    Collect Files Pro can only copy fonts it can locate on disk. Fonts without a resolvable file location (some system-protected fonts, for example) are listed in the [report](/collect-files-pro/the-report) but can’t be copied.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Collection failed partway through">
    If anything goes wrong during collection, Collect Files Pro cleans up after itself: the partial destination folder is removed and your original project is reopened untouched. Check the error message, fix the cause (commonly a file that’s moved or a full/unwritable destination drive), and collect again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My original project was closed">
    That’s the **Open collected project when finished** option. It leaves the collected copy open instead of reopening the original. Untick it if you’d rather stay in your original project. Nothing in the original file is ever modified either way.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Collect Files Pro doesn’t appear in the Extensions menu">
    Collect Files Pro requires **After Effects 24.5 or later**. Check your version (**Help > About After Effects**) and update if needed, then check **Window > Extensions > Collect Files Pro** again. If it’s still missing, reinstall via the Tack Studio app.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


# Using the panel
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/collect-files-pro/using-the-panel

How everything works.

Collect Files Pro opens as a dialog from **Window > Extensions > Collect Files Pro**. Everything happens in this one window: choose what to collect, set your options, check the summary at the bottom, and click **Collect**.

## The project must be saved first

Collecting starts from your saved project file. If the project has unsaved changes, or has never been saved, Collect Files Pro asks you to save it before continuing (a never-saved project opens the Save As dialog).

## Choosing what to collect

The **Collect** dropdown at the top sets the scope. See [Choosing what to collect](/collect-files-pro/choosing-what-to-collect) for what each option does.

## Options

The middle of the dialog is a stack of options controlling fonts, proxies, folder names, render output, and the report. Each is covered in [Collect options](/collect-files-pro/collect-options).

## The summary

Above the buttons, the dialog shows a live summary of what the current scope and options will collect:

* how many **comps** will be collected
* how many **files** and **proxy files**, and their total size
* how many **fonts** will be collected
* how many **effects** are used
* how many **single-machine** and **multiple-machine** render items are queued

This updates as you change the scope and options, so you can sanity-check before committing.

## Comments

Click **Comments...** to attach a note to the collection. It’s included in the [report](/collect-files-pro/the-report), which is handy for handoff instructions to another artist or a render farm.

## Save as defaults

**Save as defaults** stores the current options so future sessions start from them. **Cancel** closes the dialog without collecting.

## Collect

Click **Collect** and choose a destination:

* With **Collect to folder** on, you pick a new folder, and the project file keeps its original name inside it.
* With it off, you pick a name and location for the collected project file, and the footage/fonts/render folders are created alongside it.

When it finishes, the dialog closes. Depending on your options, the collected folder is revealed in Finder/File Explorer and/or the collected project is opened.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Your original project is never modified. Collect Files Pro saves a copy to the destination, works on that, and reopens your original when done (unless you’ve ticked **Open collected project when finished**).
</Callout>


# Introduction
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/index

Time-saving tools for creators on the clock.

Learn how to get up and running with Tack Studio’s tools.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="The App" icon="app-window" href="/the-app/overview">
    Manage installations, updates and licensing — all in one place.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Align Pro" icon="align-center-horizontal" href="/align-pro/overview">
    A total replacement for the native align panel.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Collect Files Pro" icon="archive" href="/collect-files-pro/overview">
    The collect files we all know, but miles better.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pre-compose Pro" icon="group" href="/pre-compose-pro/overview">
    A brand new pre-comping experience.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Paragraph Plus" icon="pilcrow" href="/paragraph-plus/overview">
    Power-ups for paragraph text.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


# Auto-fit to height
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/paragraph-plus/auto-fit-to-height

Fit the box height to its text.

These three buttons automatically resize a box’s **height** to match its text. Auto-fit is only available when [vertical alignment](/paragraph-plus/vertical-alignment) is set to **top**.

| Button             | Fits box height to...                            |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Fit to cursor      | The text’s cursor/insertion point.               |
| Fit to text bounds | The precise visible bounds of the rendered text. |
| Fit to baseline    | The text’s baseline.                             |

Click a button to turn that fitting method on, or click it again to turn auto-fit off entirely.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  While auto-fit is on, the height field in [Box position, size & padding](/paragraph-plus/box-position-size-and-padding) is locked, since After Effects is calculating it for you. Turn auto-fit off to set height manually again.
</Callout>


# Box position, size & padding
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/paragraph-plus/box-position-size-and-padding

Pixel-exact box geometry.

These three controls give you pixel-exact control over a text box’s geometry, without needing to drag its handles by eye.

## Box position

Sets the box’s **x** and **y** position, in pixels. Drag or type either value. See [Using the panel](/paragraph-plus/using-the-panel) for how dragging and typing work, including moving between the x and y fields with `Tab`.

## Box size

Sets the box’s **width** and **height**, in pixels. Width and height can’t go below 1px.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  The height field is locked whenever [auto-fit](/paragraph-plus/auto-fit-to-height) is turned on, since After Effects is calculating the box height automatically in that mode. Turn auto-fit off to set an exact height yourself.
</Callout>

## Padding

Adds space between the edges of the box and the text inside it, in pixels, applied evenly on all sides.

Click the small triangle next to the padding control to choose from common preset values (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, or 100px) instead of typing one.


# First baseline alignment
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/paragraph-plus/first-baseline-alignment

Control where the first line starts.

The **first baseline** is where the first line of text sits relative to the top of its box. Paragraph Plus gives you two controls over it: an exact pixel value, or a preset measurement.

## Baseline slider

A single slider that nudges the first line down from its default starting position, in pixels. Drag or type a value, or use the preset menu for common values (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 75, or 100px).

## Baseline dropdown

A dropdown that chooses which font metric measures the gap between the top of the box and the first baseline:

| Option             | The first baseline is placed so...                                                                                          |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Ascent *(default)* | The font’s ascent (the top of its tallest ascenders, like the "d") touches the top of the box.                              |
| Cap Height         | The top of capital letters (like "T") touches the top of the box.                                                           |
| Em Box             | The top of the font’s em box (its full design square) touches the top of the box. The standard choice for Asian (CJK) text. |
| Leading            | The gap equals the line’s leading value, so the first line is spaced exactly like every line after it.                      |
| Legacy Metric      | The first baseline is calculated the way older versions of Adobe’s text engine did, as a backwards-compatibility option.    |
| Min Asian          | The minimum offset is used, calculated from Asian (em-box) metrics.                                                         |
| Min Roman          | The minimum offset is used, calculated from Roman (ascent) metrics.                                                         |
| Typo Ascent        | The font’s typographic ascender metric (set by the type designer) is used instead of the rendered ascent.                   |
| X Height           | The top of lowercase letters (like "x") touches the top of the box, so ascenders poke above the edge.                       |

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  The baseline dropdown is only editable while the baseline slider above is set to **0**. As soon as you set a non-zero value, it takes over and the dropdown is disabled. Set the value back to 0 to choose a different preset.
</Callout>


# Overview
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/paragraph-plus/overview

Power-ups for paragraph text.

Bizarrely, but completely on-brand for Adobe, there’s a bunch of stuff that you can do with paragraph (or box) text layers that is only accessible via the scripting API.

For some inexplicable reason, these super useful functions never found their way into the UI. Well, until we came along.

Designed to be the perfect companion to the native Paragraph panel, Paragraph Plus adds new functionality with a familiar interface that fits right into your workspace.

## Key features

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Vertical alignment" icon="text-align-start" href="/paragraph-plus/vertical-alignment">
    Horizontal alignment is old news. Align text vertically to the top, bottom, or center, or even stretch it to fill the full height of the box.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auto-fit to height" icon="scan-text" href="/paragraph-plus/auto-fit-to-height">
    Choose how you’d like the box height to fit the text content. (Width, sadly, is off the table).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Box position" icon="move" href="/paragraph-plus/box-position-size-and-padding#box-position">
    The text box’s position relative to the layer’s anchor point. Move the box, and the anchor stays put.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Box size" icon="scaling" href="/paragraph-plus/box-position-size-and-padding#box-size">
    Set the exact width and height of a text box. No messing about with guides or other hacky workarounds.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Padding" icon="square-square" href="/paragraph-plus/box-position-size-and-padding#padding">
    Control the inner padding of the text box, with one caveat: the same value applies to all four sides.
  </Card>

  <Card title="First baseline alignment" icon="baseline" href="/paragraph-plus/first-baseline-alignment">
    Control where the first line of text starts. Choose a preset (like x-height or leading), or dial it in yourself.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Every control works live on whatever box text layer (or layers) you have selected, and every change is a normal, undoable step in your After Effects history.

## Requirements

* After Effects version 24.6 or later
* An active Paragraph Plus license, activated through the Tack Studio app (see [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools))


# Troubleshooting
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/paragraph-plus/troubleshooting

Common issues and how to fix them.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The panel shows a message instead of the controls">
    Paragraph Plus checks your license against the Tack Studio app before it shows its controls. You’ll see one of two messages:

    * **"Open the Tack Studio app"**: Paragraph Plus can’t reach the Tack Studio app on your computer. Make sure it’s installed and running, then click **Refresh** in the panel. If you don’t have it yet, click **Download the app**.
    * **"Activate using the Tack Studio app"**: the Tack Studio app is running, but no license is active. Either activate Paragraph Plus in the app, or click **Purchase** to buy it, then click **Refresh** once complete.

    See [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools) for the full activation flow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="All the controls are dimmed and won’t respond">
    This means Paragraph Plus doesn’t see any box text in your current selection. Check that:

    * You have a layer selected in the **active** composition.
    * The selected layer is **box text** (paragraph text with a bounding box), not point text. Point text isn’t supported. See [Using the panel](/paragraph-plus/using-the-panel).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The auto-fit buttons are disabled">
    Auto-fit only works when vertical alignment is set to **top**. Click the top alignment button first, then choose an auto-fit method. See [Auto-fit to height](/paragraph-plus/auto-fit-to-height).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The box height field won’t let me type a value">
    Height is locked automatically while [auto-fit](/paragraph-plus/auto-fit-to-height) is turned on, since After Effects is calculating it for you. Turn auto-fit off to regain manual control of height.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The baseline dropdown is disabled">
    This dropdown is only editable when the first baseline \*\*slider value \*\*is 0. Set the value back to 0 in [First baseline alignment](/paragraph-plus/first-baseline-alignment) to choose a different measurement.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A value shows as a dash (–) instead of a number">
    You have multiple layers selected whose values for that control don’t match (a "mixed" state). This is expected. Type or drag a new value to apply it to all selected layers at once. See [Using the panel](/paragraph-plus/using-the-panel).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Paragraph Plus doesn’t appear in the Extensions menu">
    Paragraph Plus requires **After Effects 24.6 or later**. Check your After Effects version (**Help > About After Effects**) and update if needed, then check **Window > Extensions > Paragraph Plus** again. If it’s still missing, reinstall via the Tack Studio app.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


# Using the panel
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/paragraph-plus/using-the-panel

How everything works.

Every feature in Paragraph Plus works the same way: select some box text, adjust a control, and watch it update live. This page covers the shared mechanics so the feature pages can focus on what each setting actually does.

## Box text only

Paragraph Plus only affects **box text**: a paragraph text layer created by dragging out a text box with the Type tool (rather than clicking once to type at a point).

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  If you’re not sure whether a layer is box text, select it. If Paragraph Plus’s controls light up, it is. If they stay dimmed, it’s point text (or nothing suitable is selected). See [Troubleshooting](/paragraph-plus/troubleshooting).
</Callout>

## Selecting layers

Select one or more box text layers in your active composition. The panel reads their properties as soon as you select them, and again whenever your mouse moves back over the panel, so it always reflects your current selection.

* **Nothing selected, or no box text selected:** every control dims and stops responding.
* **One layer selected:** controls show that layer’s exact values.
* **Multiple layers selected:** controls show a shared value if all selected layers agree, or a dash (`–`) if they don’t. Changing a value while layers disagree applies your new value to all of them.

## Adjusting a value

Each numeric control is a **draggable field**:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Scrub">
    Click and drag left or right on the number to increase or decrease it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type an exact value">
    Click once to turn the field into a text box, type a number, and press **Enter** (or click elsewhere) to confirm.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Move between paired fields">
    For controls with two values (like position or size), press **Tab** while editing to jump to the next field, or **Shift+Tab** for the previous one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Precision modifiers

While dragging, or while nudging with the arrow keys, hold a modifier key for finer or coarser steps:

| Key              | Effect                      |
| ---------------- | --------------------------- |
| *(none)*         | Move in steps of 1px        |
| `Shift`          | Move in steps of 10px       |
| `Alt` / `Option` | Move in fine steps of 0.1px |

### Presets

Some controls have a small triangle next to them. Click it to open a menu of common preset values, so you don’t need to type them by hand.

## Undo

Every change you make is its own step in After Effects’ undo history, so **Cmd/Ctrl+Z** steps back through your Paragraph Plus edits exactly as it would through any other change.


# Vertical alignment
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/paragraph-plus/vertical-alignment

Align text vertically.

These four buttons control where your text sits within its box, from top to bottom:

| Button          | Effect                                                                                         |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Align to top    | Text starts at the top of the box                                                              |
| Align to center | Text is centered vertically in the box                                                         |
| Align to bottom | Text sits against the bottom of the box                                                        |
| Justify         | Text is stretched to fill the full height of the box. The space between lines will be extended |

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Choosing center, bottom, or justify automatically turns off [auto-fit](/paragraph-plus/auto-fit-to-height), since auto-fit only makes sense when text is anchored to the top of its box.
</Callout>


# Cropping
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/pre-compose-pro/cropping

Fit the new composition to its content.

**Crop composition to content** resizes the new pre-comp to the bounding box of its visible content and repositions the layers (and the pre-comp layer in the parent comp) so nothing moves visually. No more 1920×1080 pre-comps holding a 200px logo.

## With or without masks

The first dropdown chooses whether a layer’s **masks** count towards its bounds:

* **with masks**: a masked layer is measured by its mask shape, so the crop hugs what’s actually visible.
* **without masks**: layers are measured by their full source bounds, ignoring masks.

Masks that can’t define a sensible area (an inverted mask, a first mask set to Subtract, or masks all set to None) are ignored, and the layer falls back to its full bounds.

## At current time or over time

The second dropdown chooses **when** content is measured:

* **at current time**: bounds are taken at the current frame. Fast, and right for static content.
* **over time**: every frame of the new comp is sampled, and the crop covers content wherever it moves during the animation.

## Padding

Tick **Padding (px)** to add breathing room on each side. **Top**, **Right**, **Bottom**, and **Left** are set independently, in pixels.

## What gets measured

Cameras, lights, 3D model layers, and guide layers never count towards the crop. The rest is configurable in [Settings](/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts):

* **Ignore Nulls** *(on by default)*: null layers don’t affect the crop.
* **Ignore Paragraph Text**: measure box text by its rendered text only, instead of including the full text box.
* **Constrain to Parent Composition**: clamp the crop to the parent comp’s frame, so off-screen content doesn’t inflate the new comp.
* **Include Shape Extents** *(experimental)*: include stroke widths and other rendering extents when measuring shape layers.


# Naming
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/pre-compose-pro/naming

Placeholders, indexes, prefixes, and suffixes.

The name field supports three placeholders, which you can combine freely:

| Placeholder | Resolves to                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `[c]`       | The parent composition’s name.                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| `[l]`       | The layer’s name. Only resolves when the new comp contains a single layer: one selected layer, or each comp when [pre-composing separately](/pre-compose-pro/using-the-dialog#pre-compose-all-layers-separately). |
| `[#]`       | An auto-incrementing number. Use more hashes for zero-padding: `[##]` gives `01`, `[###]` gives `001`, and so on.                                                                                                 |

## How the index works

When the name contains `[#]`, Pre-compose Pro looks through your project for existing comps matching the same pattern and continues from the highest number it finds, so `[c]_precomp_[##]` produces `MyComp_precomp_01`, then `MyComp_precomp_02` the next time, with no duplicates.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  The index placeholder must be at the **end** of the name. A default name like `shot_[#]_element` will be rejected.
</Callout>

## Prefix and suffix

In [Settings](/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts) you can define a **prefix** and **suffix** that are automatically added to every name, so if your naming convention marks every pre-comp the same way (a `_precomp` suffix, say) you never have to type it.

## Default name

Settings also has a **Default** field: the name the dialog starts with each time it opens. It supports the same placeholders, so once set, it means most pre-composes are just **Enter** and done.


# Overview
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/pre-compose-pro/overview

A brand new pre-comping experience.

Pre-composing has been an essential part of After Effects forever, but it hasn't really been updated since the beginning. You guessed it, we've given it a complete overhaul with auto-cropping, padding and a whole bunch of new stuff to boot.

Pre-compose Pro is a plugin so it appears in the Layer menu, right below the old Pre-compose button. You'll never need to use the old and outdated Pre-compose ever again!

## Key features

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Smart naming" icon="case-sensitive" href="/pre-compose-pro/naming">
    Build names from placeholders (`[c]` comp name, `[l]` layer name, `[#]` auto-incrementing index), plus an automatic prefix and suffix.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Adjust duration to content" icon="timer" href="/pre-compose-pro/using-the-dialog#adjust-composition-duration">
    Trim the new composition to the time span of the layers inside it, instead of inheriting the parent comp’s full duration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Crop to content" icon="crop" href="/pre-compose-pro/cropping">
    Resize the new composition to fit its visible content, at the current time or across the whole duration, with optional padding.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pre-compose layers separately" icon="layers" href="/pre-compose-pro/using-the-dialog#pre-compose-all-layers-separately">
    Turn each selected layer into its own pre-comp in one go.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set the label color" icon="tag" href="/pre-compose-pro/using-the-dialog#set-composition-label">
    Assign the new pre-comp layer a label in the same step, using your actual label names and colors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Take over the native shortcut" icon="keyboard" href="/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts#keyboard-shortcut">
    Optionally rebind **Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+C** so Pre-compose Pro opens instead of the native dialog.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Everything runs as a single undoable step, and the dialog remembers all of your choices for next time.

## Requirements

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Unlike our panel-based tools, Pre-compose Pro is a native plugin. It lives in the **Layer** menu, not **Window > Extensions**.
</Callout>

* After Effects version 24.4 or later
* An active Pre-compose Pro license, activated through the Tack Studio app (see [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools))


# Settings & shortcuts
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts

Defaults, crop toggles, and the keyboard shortcut.

Click **Settings** in the main dialog to set naming defaults, crop behavior toggles, and take over the native pre-compose keyboard shortcut.

## Naming

* **Prefix** / **Suffix**: added automatically to every new composition name. See [Naming](/pre-compose-pro/naming).
* **Default**: the name the dialog starts with each time it opens. Supports the same placeholders (`[c]`, `[l]`, `[#]`); the index placeholder must be at the end.

## Crop behavior

These toggles change what [cropping](/pre-compose-pro/cropping) measures:

| Setting                                | Effect                                                                                           |
| -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Ignore Paragraph Text                  | Measures box (paragraph) text by its rendered text only, instead of including the full text box. |
| Ignore Nulls *(on by default)*         | Null layers don’t count towards the crop.                                                        |
| Constrain to Parent Composition        | Clamps the crop to the parent comp’s frame, so off-screen content doesn’t inflate the new comp.  |
| Include Shape Extents *(experimental)* | Includes stroke widths and other rendering extents when measuring shape layers.                  |

## Keyboard shortcut

After Effects binds **Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+C** to its native Pre-compose. The two buttons under **Keyboard Shortcuts** let Pre-compose Pro take that binding over, or hand it back:

* **Add**: rebinds Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+C to Pre-compose Pro and unbinds the native command.
* **Reset**: restores the native binding and removes Pre-compose Pro’s.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  After adding or resetting, the Keyboard Shortcuts window opens the next time you close or run Pre-compose Pro. Just close it to confirm the change. You can also manage the binding manually in **Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts**.
</Callout>

## Reset All Settings

Removes every saved setting (naming, crop toggles, and all remembered dialog options) and restores the defaults. Pre-compose Pro closes immediately; your keyboard shortcut binding is not affected.


# Troubleshooting
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/pre-compose-pro/troubleshooting

Common issues and how to fix them.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="An alert tells me to open or activate the Tack Studio app">
    Pre-compose Pro checks your license against the Tack Studio app:

    * **"Open the Tack Studio app."**: Pre-compose Pro can’t reach the Tack Studio app on your computer. Make sure it’s installed and running, then run Pre-compose Pro again.
    * **"Activate using the Tack Studio app."**: the app is running, but no license is active. Activate Pre-compose Pro in the app, then run it again.

    See [Installing tools](/the-app/installing-tools) for the full activation flow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The menu item is disabled">
    **Layer > Pre-compose Pro...** is only enabled when a composition is active and at least one layer is selected in it, the same conditions as the native Pre-compose.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Pre-compose Pro doesn’t appear in the Layer menu">
    Pre-compose Pro requires **After Effects 24.4 or later**. It’s a native plugin, so it loads when After Effects starts. Check your version (**Help > About After Effects**), reinstall via the Tack Studio app if needed, then restart After Effects.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="‘Leave all attributes’ is disabled">
    Leaving attributes behind only works for a **single layer with source footage**, the same rule as the native Pre-compose. With multiple layers selected (or a layer with no source, like a text or shape layer), attributes must move into the new composition.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="‘Adjust composition duration’ is disabled">
    Duration adjustment needs the layers inside the new comp to keep their own timing, so it’s only available with **Move all attributes into the new composition** selected.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I get an error about the index placeholder">
    The `[#]` placeholder must be at the **end** of the default name: `shot_[#]` works, `shot_[#]_element` doesn’t. See [Naming](/pre-compose-pro/naming).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="An alert says the preferences file can’t be found">
    Pre-compose Pro reads your label names and colors, and your keyboard shortcuts, from After Effects’ preferences files on disk. If it can’t find them (an unusual install location, or a brand-new AE install that hasn’t written preferences yet), the label dropdown or shortcut buttons can’t work. Quit and reopen After Effects so it writes its preferences, and try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The crop ignored a layer’s mask">
    Masks that can’t define a sensible crop area are skipped: an **inverted** mask, a first mask set to **Subtract**, or masks all set to **None**. The layer falls back to its full source bounds. See [Cropping](/pre-compose-pro/cropping).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The crop came out larger than expected">
    A few things can inflate the measured bounds:

    * **Null layers**: check **Ignore Nulls** is on in [Settings](/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts).
    * **Box text**: the full text box counts by default; turn on **Ignore Paragraph Text** to measure only the rendered text.
    * **Off-screen content**: turn on **Constrain to Parent Composition** to clamp the crop to the frame.
    * **Over time**: when measuring over time, the crop covers content wherever it moves during the whole animation, not just where it sits now.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+C still opens the native Pre-compose">
    The shortcut takeover is optional. Click **Add** under Keyboard Shortcuts in [Settings](/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts#keyboard-shortcut), then close the Keyboard Shortcuts window when it appears to confirm. **Reset** puts the native binding back.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


# Using the dialog
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/pre-compose-pro/using-the-dialog

How everything works.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select one or more layers">
    Select the layer(s) you want to pre-compose in your active composition. The menu item is disabled until at least one layer is selected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Pre-compose Pro">
    Choose **Layer > Pre-compose Pro...**, or press **Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+C** if you’ve [taken over the native shortcut](/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts#keyboard-shortcut).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set your options and click OK">
    Everything below happens in one step, as a single undo.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## New composition name

Type the name for the new composition. It supports placeholders (`[c]` for the parent comp’s name, `[l]` for the layer name, `[#]` for an auto-incrementing number), and any saved prefix/suffix is applied automatically. See [Naming](/pre-compose-pro/naming).

## Leave or move attributes

The same choice as the native dialog:

* **Leave all attributes**: the layer’s transforms and effects stay on the new pre-comp layer in the parent comp. Only available for a single layer with source footage.
* **Move all attributes into the new composition**: transforms and effects travel into the pre-comp with the layer(s).

## Pre-compose all layers separately

With multiple layers selected, this creates **one pre-comp per layer** instead of putting them all into one. Naming, duration, cropping, labels, and opening apply to each new comp individually; `[l]` in the name resolves to each layer’s own name.

## Adjust composition duration

Trims the new composition to the time span of the layers inside it. No more pre-comps inheriting a full 60-second duration for a 2-second element. The pre-comp layer in the parent comp keeps its original timing. Only available when moving attributes into the new composition.

## Crop composition to content

Resizes the new composition to fit its visible content, repositioning everything to match. Choose whether masks count towards the bounds and whether to measure at the current time only or across the whole duration, plus optional padding. See [Cropping](/pre-compose-pro/cropping).

## Set composition label

Assigns a label color to the new pre-comp layer. The dropdown lists your actual label names and colors (including any customized in **Preferences > Labels**), plus **Default** (After Effects decides) and **None**.

## Open new composition

When ticked, the new pre-comp (or each of them, when pre-composing separately) opens in the viewer when done. When unticked you stay in the parent comp.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Every option in the dialog is remembered between sessions, so your usual setup is one **Enter** away. The **Settings** button opens defaults, naming, and shortcut options. See [Settings & shortcuts](/pre-compose-pro/settings-and-shortcuts).
</Callout>


# Installing tools
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/the-app/installing-tools

Buy, activate, install.

## Sign in

Open the app and enter the email address you used when purchasing, then click **Send verification code**. We’ll email you a code; type it in and click **Submit**. Click **Resend** if it doesn’t arrive.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Signing in only works with a **purchase email**. If you haven’t bought anything from Tack Studio yet, you don’t have an account to sign in to. If you have purchased but can’t get in, check you’re using the exact email address from your receipt.
</Callout>

## The Tools tab

Every tool has a card in the **Tools** tab, and its button walks you through whatever’s next:

1. **Buy**: takes you to the tool’s page on [tackstudio.co](https://tackstudio.co) to purchase a license.
2. **Activate**: opens the activation panel. Paste your license key, tick **I have permission to use this license key**, and click **Submit**.
3. **Install**: installs the tool into After Effects.

Once a tool is purchased, activated, and installed, the button switches to **Uninstall**.

## Activation screens in After Effects

If a tool isn’t yet activated, its panel shows an activation screen instead of its controls:

* If it asks you to **open the Tack Studio app**, launch the app so it can confirm your license, then click **Refresh** in the panel or dialog.
* If it asks you to **activate**, activate the tool in the app (or click **Purchase** to buy a license), then click **Refresh** in the panel or dialog.

Once activated, a tool stays active. You shouldn’t need to repeat this unless your license changes.


# Loyalty discount
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/the-app/loyalty

Already bought on aescripts.com? Get 60% off.

If you’ve already picked up one of our tools on [aescripts.com](aescripts.com), you’re eligible for a **60% upgrade discount**.

Open the **Loyalty** tab (it’s also reachable from the sign-in screen), enter your aescripts order details, and we’ll email you a discount code:

* **Order number**
* **Order name**
* **Email**

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Each order can only be redeemed once. If your order isn’t found or has already been redeemed, double-check the details against your aescripts receipt, or contact [support@tackstudio.co](mailto:support@tackstudio.co).
</Callout>


# Managing licenses
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/the-app/managing-licenses

Your keys, and the devices they’re active on.

The **Licenses** tab lists every license on your account.

## License keys

Each license card shows the tool it belongs to, the license key, and its current status.

## Activations

Below the key is a list of the devices the license is activated on, named by each computer’s hostname, with the one you’re currently using marked **This Device**. Licenses with a device limit show how many activations you’ve used, e.g. `[2/3]`.

## Moving to a new machine

To free up a seat, deactivate the device you no longer need from the license card, then activate the tool on the new machine from its [Tools tab](/the-app/installing-tools).

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Hit the activation limit? Deactivating an old device frees the seat immediately and you can do this from any device.
</Callout>

## Working offline

You don’t need a permanent internet connection. The app confirms your licenses online from time to time, and each check keeps them valid for **7 days offline**. So a week off-grid is fine; any longer and your tools show their activation screen until you’re back online. Reconnect, then click **Refresh** in the tool’s panel.


# Overview
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/the-app/overview

Manage installations, updates and licensing — all in one place.

The Tack Studio app is a free desktop app for Mac and Windows, and the home of everything Tack Studio: it’s where you buy, activate, install, and update all of our After Effects tools.

Download it from [tackstudio.co](https://tackstudio.co/tools/app), install it, and sign in with the email address you purchased with. No password: we email you a verification code instead.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Installing tools" icon="package" href="/the-app/installing-tools">
    Activate and install any tool you have purchased from Tack Studio.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Managing licenses" icon="key-square" href="/the-app/managing-licenses">
    View your license keys and manage which devices they’re active on.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Updates" icon="rotate-cw-square" href="/the-app/updates">
    Keep your tools up-to-date.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Loyalty discount" icon="award" href="/the-app/loyalty">
    Bought from us on aescripts.com before? There’s a discount waiting.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Refreshing

The refresh button at the top of the app reloads your tools, licenses, and updates. If something isn’t showing yet, like a purchase you’ve just made, give it a click.

## Your name and avatar

Click your avatar at the top of the app to edit it, and press **Enter** to save. Your avatar shows your initials, taken from that name.

If your email address has a profile image on a service like [Gravatar](https://gravatar.com), a switch appears while editing: flick it to use the image instead of your initials.


# Updates
Source: https://docs.tackstudio.co/the-app/updates

Keep every tool on the latest version.

The **Updates** tab lists your installed tools with their current state: **Up to date**, or **Update available** with an **Update to \<version>** button. One click installs the new version.

<Callout icon="lightbulb">
  Restart After Effects after updating a tool so the new version loads.
</Callout>

The app keeps itself up to date too. When a new version of the app is ready, it will let you know. All you’ll need to do is restart the app.