by KENKEN·VFX
Images © KENKEN. Used for product review; image policy.
Earns its place in the blender_extensions library by bringing an After Effects-style, layer-based approach to Blender compositing. The developer frames it as a system and pipeline, leaning on users to build their own effect presets rather than shipping many new feature nodes.
LayerComp is a layer-based compositing add-on for Blender, built to work in a way similar to After Effects. Rather than simply adding a filter over the screen, it lets you composite with AOVs layers, View Layer, media and more, organising the result as layers.
The add-on supports multiple compositing, adjustment layers and matte layers, with multiple mask control for each layer. It ships with more than ten feature nodes, and effect values can be controlled with a layer. You can copy and paste layers or effects between two compositors, and save, share, load and export custom effects and compositors as presets stored in .blend files. A dynamic search box and drag-and-drop for layers and effects sit alongside the interface, which is reachable from the sidebar in the 3D View, the Compositor and the Image Editor.
It was developed within an anime workflow that primarily used After Effects, so its approach mirrors that program. The developer describes it as a system and pipeline, noting it relies on users to build their own effect presets.
LayerComp is best for blender artists doing layer-based compositing in an After Effects-style workflow, including anime pipelines.
LayerComp is completely free to download and use.
LayerComp's latest version is compatible with Blender 5.0 and newer. If you open the latest version in an older project, the developer advises deleting the old composition and creating a new one. Saving and sharing a compositor is also tied to version 5.0 or higher. Because compatibility centres on Blender 5.0, confirm your Blender install matches before setting up a project, and refer to the developer's page for version history if you need details on earlier releases.
LayerComp adds a Layer Comp panel to the sidebar in three editors: the 3D View, the Compositor and the Image Editor. You can open it from whichever workspace suits the task, then drag layers and effects directly, label your layers, and use a dynamic search box to find what you need. The interface follows a layer-based approach similar to After Effects, so users familiar with that program may recognise the workflow. Being reachable across all three editors means you can work without switching views.
LayerComp lets you save and share your own custom effects and compositors, then load and export them as presets. Presets are stored as .blend files. A custom effect needs to be a node group type with one 'Image' input and at least one output. The developer describes the add-on as a system and pipeline that relies on users to build their own effect presets rather than shipping many new feature nodes over time. It also includes more than ten feature nodes to start from.
LayerComp is listed as free in this catalog and is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. For the most current licensing terms, the source, and the permissions it requests such as importing and exporting .blend files from disk, check the developer's page on GitHub. Because it is open source under the GPL, you can review how it works and follow its version history there. Confirm current details on the developer's page before relying on any licensing specifics.
LayerComp is described by its developer as providing a system and pipeline rather than a steady stream of new feature nodes. It ships with more than ten feature nodes, and the developer notes it won't provide many more feature node updates in future, relying instead on users to create their own effect presets. The 1.1.9 update did add a Gradient node with a gradient ramp and a four-colour gradient, improved chromatic aberration, and unified spot-control effects such as vignette and spot exposure.
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