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Danny5C47
Participant
September 29, 2025

Importing bug with latest After Effects/Illustrator

  • September 29, 2025
  • 11 replies
  • 419 views

Since updating apps last week, any Illustrator files imported to After Effects include duplicates of each layer that are blank 1x1px. As they also duplicate the layer names, this leads to layers "disappearing" later when reopening/editing files as they've re-linked layers to these "blank" layers.

    11 replies

    Jefrin23419213v1qs
    Participating Frequently
    September 3, 2026

    sometimes colour is not appearing even though no effects is applied in illustrator

    Nishu Kushwaha
    Community Manager
    Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 3, 2026

    Hi Jefrin23419213v1qs,


    Sorry to hear about the issue. Do you mind creating a new post with more details so that we can address your issues in one place?

    I'd really appreciate that. Feel free to tag me.


    Thanks,

    Nishu

    Jefrin23419213v1qs
    Participating Frequently
    September 4, 2026

    I found solution for this, in new version while editing in illustrator, while giving release layer to sequence. if there any layer that is inside the parent layer and if it has any artwork or path. it automatically duplicates inside after effects and colours are sometimes not updating. I fixed it by just removing the extra layer inside the parent layer and map the artwork path directly below the parent layer. now its working smoothly.  but this should not happen in adobe. Basic things are getting harder and harder things are getting better. please fix this in update. thanks 😀

    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
    Legend
    November 21, 2025

    Hi,

    I merged your discussion with another one showing the same issue. Sorry for the problem.

     

    Thanks,
    Kevin

     

    Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community and Engagement Strategist – Adobe Pro Video and Audio
    matt_3607
    Participant
    October 20, 2025

    I'm importing with "Import As:" set to "Composition - Retain Layer Sizes"

    MariartDesign
    Participant
    November 20, 2025

    When importing Illsutrator files into After Effects as compositions (retaining layer sizes), all layers are duplicated and the first of each one has no content.

    I'd like to know if anyone else has this issue with the latest update of AE (V 25.6.0 (Build 101)).

      Jefrin23419213v1qs
      Participating Frequently
      September 3, 2026

      very frustrating see bugs after updating to latest version

      matt_3607
      Participant
      October 20, 2025

      I'm experiencing the same issue. Running AE 25.5.0 and Illustrator 29.8.2 on a PC. Deleting the second artboard gets rid of the issue but is not a workable solution in my case. I'm updating an AE file that has 100+ layers and I need to relink to the new illustrator file. Deleting the second artboard gets rid of the duplicate layers, but shifts the position of all the relinked layers.

        Danny5C47Author
        Participant
        October 7, 2025

        I am using Illustrator 29.8.1 and AE 25.5.0 (Build 4)

        It only happens with recently saved/updated files.

        I've found it happens when I have 2 artboards in the Illustrator file; I use the Film & Video preset templates. Deleting the second larger artboard stops AE reading theses second "empty" layers. This will not be a permanent workaround though as I often need my artwork to exede the main artboard bounds.

          JohnColombo17100380
          Community Manager
          JohnColombo17100380Community Manager
          Community Manager
          September 30, 2025

          Hi @Danny5C47,

          Thank you for reporting this issue. What versions of After Effects and Illustrator are you currently using? Is the layer duplication happening only with recently-saved files, or with all Illustrator files?

          If possible, sharing an affected Illustrator files and screen recording of your import steps would be helpful, since there are a few different options when importing Illustrator files that could be contributing to the bug.

          Thanks again for reporting and for any additional information,

          - John, After Effects Engineering Team 

          Jefrin23419213v1qs
          Participating Frequently
          September 3, 2026

          The problem is the After effects is loading data from history of design work before separating layers inside illustrator. sometimes duplicate artwork found inside same layer while importing inside after effects. the issue caused when the file inside illustrator grouding of layers has any path files in extra hierarachy. after effects duplicates the file automatically. how come this bug appears I dont know, very strange and disappointed.

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