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Participant
November 15, 2025

After effects won't add all my illustrator layers

  • November 15, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 96 views

Have seperated all my files in illustrator but when I import into after effects, only some of the layers are imported from the artwork. There is no error message they just will not be added for some reason?

3 replies

Participant
November 16, 2025

make sure all your layers are actually on the top-level in ai (not inside subgroups), and that each layer is not set to “template” or hidden. also, when importing into after effects, choose “import as composition retain layer sizes” instead of footage. usually that fixes the missing layers issue

Warren Heaton
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 16, 2025

Hi @Alex34736482gzsy 

Make sure the the Illustrator document is in RGB color mode.

Make sure that each Layer is at the root level of the document.  That is, make sure that none of the Layers are Sub-Layers (inside of a Layer).

Aldo, any objects that you want to animate separately need to be on their own Layer.  

Sébastien Périer17107209
Community Manager
After Effects Sr. Quality Engineer
November 15, 2025

Hi @Alex34736482gzsy ,

Sorry you're facing an issue with your Illustrator file import. Would you be able to share your file with me in a DM so I can investigate on my end?

Sébastien Périer
After Effects Quality Engineering