Guide layers

You can create guide layers from existing layers to use for reference in the Composition panel, to help you position and edit elements. For example, you can use guide layers for visual reference, for audio timing, for timecode reference, or for storing comments to yourself.

A guide layer icon appears next to the name of a guide layer or its source in the Timeline panel.

By default, guide layers aren’t rendered when you create output but can be rendered when desired by changing the render settings for the composition.

Note: Guide layers in nested compositions can’t be viewed in the containing composition.

To convert selected layers to guide layers, choose Layer > Guide Layer.
To render a composition with its visible guide layers, click Render Settings in the Render Queue panel, and choose Current Settings from the Guide Layers menu in the Render Settings dialog box.
To render a composition without rendering guide layers, click Render Settings in the Render Queue panel, and choose All Off from the Guide Layers menu in the Render Settings dialog box.