Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this lesson, you will learn how to import Photoshop (PSD) and Adobe Illustrator (AI) files into Adobe After Effects and include individual layers.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction
1. Importing Photoshop PSD Files (all layers included) into After Effects
2. Importing Illustrator Ai Files (all layers included) into After Effects
1. Prep work is required in Illustrator before importing
1. Ungrouping of Layers
2. Renaming Layers
2. Importing Photoshop (PSD) Files
1. Preparing the PSD file:
1. Ensure layers are properly labeled and organized.
2. Confirm document size (1920x1080 pixels, 72 PPI).
2. Steps to import PSD into After Effects:
1. Open After Effects.
2. To import:
1. Double-click in an empty space in the project panel or,
2. Use the top menu: File... Import.. File or
3. Use Keyboard shortcut: Cmd/Ctrl + i
3. Select the PSD file.
4. In the import options, choose "Composition - Retain Layer Sizes".
5. Ensure no boxes are checked in the import dialog.
6. Click "Open".
3. Verifying the import:
1. After Effects creates a composition matching the PSD dimensions.
2. Each PSD layer appears as an individual layer in the composition.
4. Editing imported PSD layers:
1. Open the composition by double-clicking it.
2. Verify that each layer retains its original size and position.
3. Importing Adobe Illustrator (AI) Files
1. Preparing the AI file:
1. Ungroup layers and place them on individual layers.
1. ‘Release To Layers (Sequence)’
2. Add New Layer
1. Drag Layer on new layer
2. Rename layers for organization.
3. Save the AI file with appropriate settings.
2. Steps to import AI into After Effects:
1. Open After Effects.
2. Double-click in an empty space in the project panel or use the top menu: File.. Import...File.
3. Select the AI file.
4. Choose "Composition" to import.
5. Ensure no boxes are checked in the import dialog.
6. Click "Open".
3. Verifying the import:
1. After Effects creates a composition and a folder containing individual AI layers.
2. Each AI layer appears as an individual layer in the composition.
4. Differences between import options:
1. Composition vs. Retain Layer Sizes.
2. Verify bounding boxes and layer sizes for AI files.
5. Adjusting vector layers:
1. Use the "Continuously Rasterize" option to improve vector quality.
4. Comparing Import Methods
1. Photoshop file with "Retain Layer Sizes":
1. Layers maintain their original sizes from Photoshop.
2. Illustrator file with "Composition":
1. Layers are sized to the entire document dimensions.
3. Illustrator file with "Retain Layer Sizes":
1. Layers maintain their original sizes from Illustrator.
5. Editing Text Layers from Photoshop
1. Converting text layers:
1. Right-click on a text layer.
2. Choose "Create" .."Convert to Editable Text".
3. Edit the text directly in After Effects
In this lesson, you will learn how to import Photoshop (PSD) and Adobe Illustrator (AI) files into Adobe After Effects and include individual layers.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction
1. Importing Photoshop PSD Files (all layers included) into After Effects
2. Importing Illustrator Ai Files (all layers included) into After Effects
1. Prep work is required in Illustrator before importing
1. Ungrouping of Layers
2. Renaming Layers
2. Importing Photoshop (PSD) Files
1. Preparing the PSD file:
1. Ensure layers are properly labeled and organized.
2. Confirm document size (1920x1080 pixels, 72 PPI).
2. Steps to import PSD into After Effects:
1. Open After Effects.
2. To import:
1. Double-click in an empty space in the project panel or,
2. Use the top menu: File... Import.. File or
3. Use Keyboard shortcut: Cmd/Ctrl + i
3. Select the PSD file.
4. In the import options, choose "Composition - Retain Layer Sizes".
5. Ensure no boxes are checked in the import dialog.
6. Click "Open".
3. Verifying the import:
1. After Effects creates a composition matching the PSD dimensions.
2. Each PSD layer appears as an individual layer in the composition.
4. Editing imported PSD layers:
1. Open the composition by double-clicking it.
2. Verify that each layer retains its original size and position.
3. Importing Adobe Illustrator (AI) Files
1. Preparing the AI file:
1. Ungroup layers and place them on individual layers.
1. ‘Release To Layers (Sequence)’
2. Add New Layer
1. Drag Layer on new layer
2. Rename layers for organization.
3. Save the AI file with appropriate settings.
2. Steps to import AI into After Effects:
1. Open After Effects.
2. Double-click in an empty space in the project panel or use the top menu: File.. Import...File.
3. Select the AI file.
4. Choose "Composition" to import.
5. Ensure no boxes are checked in the import dialog.
6. Click "Open".
3. Verifying the import:
1. After Effects creates a composition and a folder containing individual AI layers.
2. Each AI layer appears as an individual layer in the composition.
4. Differences between import options:
1. Composition vs. Retain Layer Sizes.
2. Verify bounding boxes and layer sizes for AI files.
5. Adjusting vector layers:
1. Use the "Continuously Rasterize" option to improve vector quality.
4. Comparing Import Methods
1. Photoshop file with "Retain Layer Sizes":
1. Layers maintain their original sizes from Photoshop.
2. Illustrator file with "Composition":
1. Layers are sized to the entire document dimensions.
3. Illustrator file with "Retain Layer Sizes":
1. Layers maintain their original sizes from Illustrator.
5. Editing Text Layers from Photoshop
1. Converting text layers:
1. Right-click on a text layer.
2. Choose "Create" .."Convert to Editable Text".
3. Edit the text directly in After Effects
