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frankmaherae
frankmaherae
Inspiring
November 20, 2018
Question

Exporting a composition from a project for reuse in other projects

  • November 20, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 7786 views

Hi There,

I'm new to after effects so excuse the basic question. I have two questions related to exporting and reusing 'stock' compositions in other projects.

1. In exporting a given composition I am following what I understand to be the correct steps (selecting the composition in the project panel / File > Dependencies > Collect Files > For selected comps (with reduce project ticked) to export my composition and the various connected elements only used in that composition so that it can be imported into a separate project.

However, I find that when I check the export it is also collecting other files and elements that are not used in that composition and for the life of me I can't figure out why. Any help would be much appreciated.

2. The second question relates to reusing these compositions. If I import the file into another project and change them in some way in this new project is the original file that was exported changed in any way. My goal is, since I will be creating compositions that can be reused across many of my projects, to reimport them in this way. If there is a more efficient way to approach this that more experienced users use I'd love to hear it.

Thanks a lot for the help,

Frank

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    Jose Panadero
    Jose Panadero
    Community Expert
    November 20, 2018

    For the first question, you are doing it correctly but before collecting files is it better to delete other compositions and choose File > Dependencies > Remove Unused Footage. This way you will collect exactly the files used in the composition you wat to save.

    For the second one, there is no modification over your original project if you use the command File > Import to import this project and its compositions into a new project every time you need to use it.

    R
    Rick Gerard
    Community Expert
    November 20, 2018

    This sounds like simple user error. When you want to collect files for a comp you have to select the comp you want to target in the Project panel. If the Project Panel is not active and you have not selected a comp, everything in the project will be collected. This is all explained clearly in the User Guide. You can find the section by typing Collect Files in the Search Help field at the top right corner of After Effects. When the Collect Files Panel pops you have to make sure Selected Comps is checked. If you have no comps selected in the Project Panel then the option will be unavailable. You will have to cancel and select the comps you want to include in the Project Panel.

    R
    Rick Gerard
    Community Expert
    November 21, 2018

    Thanks again for your time Rick!

    Yes I am ticking the 'Reduce Project' box. It would be pulling out a lot more files than just the .ai and sound files were that the case as it's a relatively large project.

    I've experimented with a few other projects and it seems to work fine there so something unique to how this project is arranged I assume. It's strange.

    Anyway, thank you again for the help!

    Frank


    Check the flow chart for the selected comp. There may be more assets that you think.

    imeilfx
    imeilfx
    Inspiring
    November 20, 2018

    So...
    a) that is the way so you are doing everything wright right

    b) if you import that composition into new project your original comp will stay as you saved it - you are not able to make any changes to project A if you import it into new project and save that new project with new name.

    As for collecting more files that it need - it should not so please check if for sure it does not need those files that it exported. If you are sure that it exported more that it need - just open that saved project, delete what you dont need and click CTRL+S to save it in that state.

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