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Kyle Hamrick
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 4, 2026
Open for Voting

Modernized Import for Layered Photoshop/Illustrator Files

  • February 4, 2026
  • 0 replies
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Photoshop and Illustrator import could both stand to be modernized significantly, and it’s unlikely I’ll remember every aspect in this post, but here are a few specifics:
 

  • Overall, look to Character Animator as a template for a more “aware” import. It’s less of a detached one-way street, and more akin to a Dynamic Link. Changing a layer name doesn’t break linkage, and AE would be aware when a layer is added in the design app. (Is it possible I’m overlooking some obvious downside to this approach in AE?)
  • Parity of language and layout between the two import pop-ups would be ideal. 
  • Comps created via the import dialogue pull their duration from your previously-created composition, which isn’t really indicated anywhere, making it not very discoverable, potentially confusing, and potentially annoying to fix when many layers are involved. Adding a Duration field + dropdown (like the one found in Comp Settings) would be an excellent improvement here. 
  • Obvious, but: Illustrator text should have the ability to easily become editable in AE, ideally via the same command used for Photoshop text.