Presets and After Effects
A preset stores a reusable particle design. Entropy presets use the .wcx file extension. Use the preset library in Composer to load designs and save your own. Loading and saving are manual actions.
Load a preset
Open the preset drawer, or press P in Composer. Search by name and select a preset. When loading into an existing design, choose the scope offered by the dialog.
| Action | What changes |
|---|---|
| Replace selected | Replaces the selected system and its children. Keeps other systems and scene settings. |
| Replace scene | Replaces the scene, including scene settings. |
| Add as new layer | Adds the preset's systems. Keeps the current scene, lighting, and camera settings. |
| Cancel | Keeps the current design. |
Some source resources are shared. If adding a preset reports a resource conflict or a sprite limit, use Replace if you want the new design, or cancel and keep the current design. Add the required sprite to the Sprite Library when the message identifies a missing sprite.
An Emitter Preset is a smaller setup for one emitter. It replaces emitter settings without replacing particle appearance or forces. Use it to change the source while keeping an established look.
Save and manage presets
Use Save Preset, enter a clear name, choose a category, and save. The preset includes the current multi-system look and a preview thumbnail.
Right-click a preset card for available file actions. Duplicate creates an editable user copy. Reveal opens the folder for a user preset. Trash moves the user preset file to the operating system's Trash or Recycle Bin.
Save a preset before importing another layer or replacing the scene if you need to keep the current Composer design.
Transfer a design
Import from AE replaces Composer's current state with settings from the active Entropy layer. Select the intended layer in After Effects first.
OK applies the current Composer design to After Effects and normally closes Composer. If apply fails, Composer stays open so you can read the error and keep the design. If apply succeeds with a keyframe warning, the button changes to Close. Read the warning before closing. Applying to controls that already have animation adds keyframes to those controls. Check the target time before applying.
Composer and After Effects are separate editing contexts. Use Import from AE to refresh the design after changes in After Effects. Use OK to send Composer edits back.
Composer and After Effects preview differences
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Preview background | Changes Composer contrast only. It does not change the saved preset or After Effects render. |
| Composition lights | After Effects can use the composition's lights. Composer previews the preset lighting rig. |
| Light-driven attractors | After Effects resolves the matching lights. Composer has no composition lights and removes the manual attractor when this mode is enabled. |
| Layer Force Mapping | After Effects resolves the source layer. Composer previews Graph mapping. |
| Force-map inversion | Composer stores the setting but does not apply it to its preview. |
| Motion Blur: Comp Settings | After Effects needs the relevant composition settings and layer switch. Composer treats this mode as On. |
| Camera depth of field | After Effects can follow the active composition camera. Composer has no active composition camera. |
| Animated controls | Import uses the current frame's settings. It is not a transfer of the full After Effects animation. |
Check the final composition in After Effects, especially when using sources from other layers, animation, lights, or cameras.
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