Skip to main content
tompowis
tompowis
Participant
November 13, 2017
Answered

After Effects not ordering imported images as expected

  • November 13, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1624 views

I'm trying to import multiple images but after import, they import in the order shown below and not in the expected order of 1,2,3,4,5.....

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer P.M.B

You need to give your images what's known as padding (####).   Whatever application you're using to create the sequence should have an option to pad the filenames so that all of your files have the same number of digits so they read something like 001, 002, 003, etc.

After Effects and many other programs read the number by the number of places left to right.  That's why 13 was placed after 129, because it's thinking logically that 2 comes before 3.

What program are using to create the sequence?

1 reply

P.M.B
P.M.BCorrect answer
Legend
November 13, 2017

You need to give your images what's known as padding (####).   Whatever application you're using to create the sequence should have an option to pad the filenames so that all of your files have the same number of digits so they read something like 001, 002, 003, etc.

After Effects and many other programs read the number by the number of places left to right.  That's why 13 was placed after 129, because it's thinking logically that 2 comes before 3.

What program are using to create the sequence?

~Gutterfish
    R
    Community Expert
    Rick GerardCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 13, 2017

    As Gutter-Fish explained, you have to have leading zeros so all numbers are the same number of digits. If you are on a Mac, Automator can easily batch rename files. I use it all the time. I don't recall the Windows utility that does the same thing. You can also use Lightroom, sort by capture time and then batch and also in Bridge.

    Your images are quite large, you may want to consider using Lightroom or Bridge to batch resize them so that the image sequence will be somewhere close to 100% scale in your composition. If you apply the right technique will get better results than just scaling everything down in AE.

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices