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TalkMotion
TalkMotion
Inspiring
May 1, 2015
Answered

AI (illustrator) layers not showing up in AE (after effects) CC 2014

  • May 1, 2015
  • 13 replies
  • 110983 views

I've just come across this issue for the first time. I've imported AI files into AE many times before and had no issues like this one.


After importing the layered AI doc into AE, only one layer will show up. Attached is a video I recorded of what happens. If you can make sense of it, please let me know. Note: I can save out eps as separate files and use those in AE no problem.

I'm working on a macbook pro retina and just did a fresh format about 2 weeks ago so everything is up to date. I've tried restarting AE and my computer. Also recreating a new AI file with different dimensions.

I blocked out the files on my computer in respect to my clients (in case you're confused).



    Correct answer TalkMotion

    sorry, that's what I meant. I've forced everything to vector. There's nothing "live" about the graphics. I've also double checked that the layers aren't checked off as templates.


    I figured it out... you can't have more than one artboard in your illustrator file. I didn't know that but it makes sense now that I've come across the answer.

    13 replies

    Show previous replies
    Dave_LaRonde
    Dave_LaRonde
    Inspiring
    May 2, 2015

    My experience is that Illustrator folks DO NOT create layers.  They think that a groups and stuff like that constitute layers... and they don't.  There's a "make a new layer" switch in Illustrator that goes mostly ignored.  So check that you've actually made layers first.

    Next, make sure the document color mode is RGB and not CMYK.

    And then in AE, import the illustrator document as a composition.  If happiness doesn't ensue, you have other issues.

      TalkMotion
      TalkMotionAuthor
      Inspiring
      May 4, 2015

      Thanks for your reply, but unfortunately that's not it.

      I've tried: having all the assets on separate layers, making sure the doc was in RGB, renaming the illustrator file, saving it back to different versions of AI, loading into a different AE file, and so on. I have a feeling it has something to do with the paint bucket tool. I've outlined/expanded my graphics just incase, so it shouldn't be.


      OH HEY! I've seen a lot of your posts on creative cow as well in the last few years. You're kind of like a AE community celebrity to me haha.

        Dave_LaRonde
        Dave_LaRonde
        Inspiring
        May 4, 2015

        Couldn't create outlines..... are you building a design out of text characters, perhaps?    It's easily solved by using the convert to outlines command in Illustrator.

        TalkMotion
        TalkMotionAuthor
        Inspiring
        May 1, 2015

        the error message at the end says "After Effects warning. Could not create outlines. Empty or unsupported content."

        TalkMotion
        TalkMotionAuthor
        Inspiring
        May 1, 2015

        Sorry for the low res. I had compressed it before I realized it was an embedded link from youtube.

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