Group, ungroup, and nest layers

Nesting layers and groups in the Layers list helps you apply animation and other effects to specific elements of your composition. For more information, see Nest layers and groups overview.

Nest selected layers into a new group

Select all layers or groups you want to group together.
Choose Object > Group (or press Shift-Command-G).

The selected layers or groups are nested in a new group.

Ungroup nested layers

You can also delete a containing group and move and “unnest” its contents.

In the Layers list, select a group containing the nested layers or groups.
Choose Object > Ungroup (or press Option-Command-G).

The layers or groups are moved up in the Layers list hierarchy.

Note: You cannot ungroup groups that are at the root (project level) of the Layers list hierarchy.

Move a group inside another group

In the Layers list, select one or more groups.
Do one of the following:
- Drag the groups onto another group.
- Drag the groups to a position at the bottom of another group.
- Choose Edit > Cut (or press Command-X) to cut the groups, then select another group and choose Edit > Paste (or press Command-V).