After Effects - how do I add an imported multi-layer Illustrator file to timeline of existing AE project and have the layers displayed?

Forum|Forum|8 years ago
September 7, 2017
4 replies
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Hi

I don't know whether this forum is for beginners' questions, but here goes. All the tutorials on Youtube and elsewhere that I have found always show single project/composition scenarios where, once the Illustrator file has been imported as composition - retain layers sizes, the file is either clicked on or moved to the composition window and it appears in the timeline showing all its layers. If however I import a file into an existing AE project and then move it to the composition window or timeline the layers are not displayed. The only way to display the layers is to click on the layer but this then creates an extra composition displayed in isolation so that if, for example, I want to move the arms of the character to interact with another object, the rest of the scene is not visible for this to be done accurately. I'm sure this is pretty basic but I can't find a way round it from the information online so any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Correct answer Dave_LaRonde

If you ACTUALLY made an Illustrator file with real, live layers -- none of this paths and shapes nonsense but real, live bona-fide LAYERS

(many Illustrator folks overlook this oh-so important detail, but After Effects folks sure don't!)....

....AND you imported said real-live-layered Illustrator file as a comp....

...THEN just scrutinize your project pane for a comp with the same file name as your Illustrator file. Double- click on it. Your layers are revealed in all their glory. You can copy-paste them into other comps. There's also a folder containing those Illustrator layers and you can just drag 'em into other comps.

angie_taylor

Legend

It's not really good practice for you to have all of your layers in one single comp but if that's what you really want to do, here's how.

import your street scene as a comp. Make sure NOT to select the option to Retain Layer Size.

double click the comp of your street scene. Import all the other AI files as comps). Ignore their composition icons and instead go into each associated folder and drag all the layers from

each of these into the Street scene comp.

As I said, and the others have said. This is not a reccommended workflow but if you really want to do it that way, this is your best option :-)

G

geoffreya28176583Author

Known Participant

I am not actually interested in having all my layers in a single comp. All I want to achieve is to have all the layers of the Ae imported files displayed in the timeline so that they can be keyframed along the length of the project. The simple scenario I envisage of the street scene is two guys walking up to each other and shaking hands, and then walking over to a food stand where the vendor stretches out his hand to offer them some pizza, for example. The problem I am trying to resolve is this:

When I click on the composition of the first guy his figure appears in the composition window and his layers are duly displayed in the timeline. To get the second guy into the composition window I click on him in the project panel, but his figure replaces the first guy in the comp window and replaces his layers in the timeline. As I said, I need both of them in the comp window and their layers in the timeline so that I can animate arms and legs. So, if YOU were doing this simple animation what method do you use to get both figures in the comp window and their layers displayed in the timeline at the same time?

angie_taylor

Legend

Follow the steps I set out in my previous message to do this.

angie_taylor

Legend

When you import your multi-layered Illustrator file into your project, 2 things will appear in the Project panel. One is a folder which contains all of the layers. The other is a composition icon. Do not drag this into a anew composition. Do not drag it onto the New comp button. Instead, simply double-click it and it will open to show you it's layers, all ready and happy to animate

hope this helps,

Angie Taylor | (email removed by moderation)

sharonp72774756

Participant

Thank you. I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong and this solved the problem. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dave_LaRondeCorrect answer

Inspiring

If you ACTUALLY made an Illustrator file with real, live layers -- none of this paths and shapes nonsense but real, live bona-fide LAYERS

(many Illustrator folks overlook this oh-so important detail, but After Effects folks sure don't!)....

....AND you imported said real-live-layered Illustrator file as a comp....

...THEN just scrutinize your project pane for a comp with the same file name as your Illustrator file. Double- click on it. Your layers are revealed in all their glory. You can copy-paste them into other comps. There's also a folder containing those Illustrator layers and you can just drag 'em into other comps.

G

geoffreya28176583Author

Known Participant

Thank you for your reply. Following your guidelines I have imported an AI file comprising 11 separate, straightforward layers of various body parts and clothing on a human figure. When I double-click on the file in the project window the figure appears in the comp window minus the eyes and eyebrows and the trousers are on top of the coat although the reverse is the case in the AI file where the layers are structured properly. If,alternatively, I drag the AE layers folder onto the main comp all the layers are superimposed one on top of the other. It may be that I will have to ask Adobe to replace my parallel universe version of CC 2017 but if you can explain why this is not working I would be grateful.

Dave_LaRonde

Inspiring

The layers may be in the wrong order in the comp, e.g. layer "Eye Iris & Pupil" is below layer "White of Eye" in the timeline.

This should NOT happen if you have your layers in the proper order in Illustrator. But if it's the case, just move the layers into the proper vertical order in the timeline.

If it's something else, it will take more diagnostic work to isolate the problem.