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YuK1_Works
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January 30, 2026
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Imported Illustrator artwork outside composition bounds becomes transparent in After Effects

  • January 30, 2026
  • 1 reply
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When I open an Illustrator (.ai) file in After Effects (Import → Composition), any artwork that sits outside the composition frame is automatically turned transparent/alpha-clipped. I intentionally leave a margin around elements in Illustrator so that when they move the edges don’t show seams — but After Effects is making those outer areas transparent, which causes visible gaps during animation.

Steps to reproduce

  1. Create artwork in Illustrator that extends beyond the intended comp size (leave a margin around the visible area).

  2. Save as .ai and import into After Effects as Composition.

  3. Open the composition: artwork outside the comp frame appears transparent (alpha) instead of preserved.

Expected behavior
Artwork outside the comp bounds should remain opaque (preserved) so the margin stays visible when elements move.

Question
Is there a setting or recommended import workflow to prevent After Effects from automatically making those outer areas transparent? Any workaround or explanation of why AE clips those areas would be appreciated.

      1 reply

      thepixelsmith
      Community Expert
      thepixelsmithCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 30, 2026

      Did you use Import as Composition setting or the Composition - Retain Layer Sizes option?
      The Retain Layer sizes import choice will respect objects outside the bounding box.

      But theres a limitation to this.

      Your illustrator file needs to be made with two art boards in the same physical place. The first art boards sets the import dimensions while the second insures that any artwork that is outside the primary art board doesn’t get clipped.

      This is the way all of Illustrator’s Video Presets have always been constructed.

       

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