Open for Voting
Modernized Import for Layered Photoshop/Illustrator Files
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.

