smart collect
Smart Collect is an After Effects utility that gives you precise control over how your projects are collected, archived, and delivered.
It expands on After Effects’ native Collect Files workflow by letting you generate comp-aware, modular project packages—without breaking links or duplicating assets.
Whether you’re preparing client deliveries, isolating shots for collaborators, or archiving large projects, Smart Collect creates clean, portable collections that stay lightweight and fully relinked.
Functions
Collect Per Comp
Creates isolated collections for each selected composition—perfect for shot-based deliveries.
Export Individual AE Project Files
Smart Multi-Project Collect
Collects the entire project and generates additional isolated AE project files based on selected comps—inside a single collected folder.
All generated projects are linked to a shared (Footage) directory, preventing duplicate assets while keeping everything portable.
Key Features
✅ Shared Footage Linking – All exported AE projects reference the same (Footage) folder
✅ Selective Comp Targeting – Only chosen comps are collected or exported
✅ Non-Destructive – Your original project remains untouched
✅ Delivery-Ready Output – No missing files, no broken paths
⚠ IMPORTANT
Test First
Always test with dummy projects before running on production files.
Processing Time
Not ideal for large projects with large file sizes. Processing will take much longer due to file analysis and collection.
Currently tested and working with After Effects 2024 and 2025.
This tool was developed with the assistance of ChatGPT.