Reduce Footage Layers is a free After Effects script that non‑destructively removes inactive footage layers, supporting versions from CC 2017 through After Effects 2025.
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Developed by jfcg.
About Reduce Footage Layers
Reduce Footage Layers, developed by jfcg, is a script for After Effects that cleans inactive footage layers without altering the original composition. Version 1.24 (released May 30, 2025) lists unused footage replaced by solids and shows which footage was removed. Earlier updates fixed specific issues, such as offset trackmate replacement in version 1.23. The script is compatible with After Effects 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and the CC 2019, CC 2018, and CC 2017 releases. A demo video and full changelog are available on the developer’s aescripts page.
Features
- Non-destructive cleaning of inactive footage layers from your timelines
- Displays a list of unused footage that has been replaced with solids
- Displays a list of what footage has been removed
- Compatible with After Effects 2025 through CC 2017
- Demo video available
Best for
After Effects users who need to clean inactive footage layers from their timelines without making destructive edits.
Frequently asked questions
Which After Effects versions does Reduce Footage Layers support?
Reduce Footage Layers supports After Effects 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, as well as CC 2019, CC 2018, and CC 2017.
Is Reduce Footage Layers free to use?
The catalog lists Reduce Footage Layers as free, but licensing terms may change; verify the current status on the developer’s aescripts page.
Does Reduce Footage Layers permanently delete footage layers?
The script cleans inactive footage layers non‑destructively; it does not permanently delete footage without user confirmation and provides lists of what was replaced or removed.
What did version 1.24 of Reduce Footage Layers change?
Version 1.24 adds compatibility with all listed After Effects versions and introduces displays that list unused footage replaced with solids and footage that has been removed.
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