Linked Ae compositions

[Aykhan33031895pjc8]

Is there a way to link After Effects files, so that I create myself an own library with assets? 

For example, I have my main project and want to import 10 different AEfiles. The reason I want to link these files is that they always stay up to date, so that I can refine linked compositions later on and my changes stay up to date. Similar to linked files in Photoshop.

[abuse removed by moderator]

[Warren Heaton]

You could assemble After Effeccts Compositions in a Premiere Pro Sequence and the use File > Dynamic Link > Import Premiere Pro Sequence into another After Effects Project via File > Adobe Dynamic Link > Import Premiere Pro Sequence. - just make sure you're always importing into a different Ae project and not one of the Ae projects used in the Pr project.  Any changes made to the Ae projects will carry forrward to the Pr project which will carry forward to the Ae project.

You could also try creating After Effects Templates.  Save the After Effects Project with the Comps that you would like to reuse.  In the Finder or Explorer, change the filename extention from AEP to AET.  Then, import or drag and drop the AET into an AEP.  However, After Effects Templates are not directly editable as they always open as a new, untitled project.  To update it, you would need to change it from AET back to AEP, make the changes, and change it back to an AET.  If preventing edits isn't important, you can always just drag any AEP into another AEP.

Something like File > Adobe Dynamic Link > Import After Effects Comp would a great feature.  If you posted it as an "Idea", I'd vote for it.

[Aykhan33031895pjc8]

where can i post ideas?

[Warren Heaton]

@Aykhan33031895pjc8 

When you start a post in the forum, select "Idea" as the category.

[Rick Gerard]

When you nest a project in another project, there is no link to the original project. Dynamic Link will link multiple AE comps, but it will not link AE project files. 

I keep my workflows organized by file naming conventions that start with job numbers and are organized the way I was taught when I started editing movies shot on film in the 1970s. It's the same basic system studios have used in feature film productions since the 1920s. 

I also make extensive use of MOGRTs and Animation Presets. I just checked my Custom AE presets folder. I have 313 presets there for everything to multiple-layer animated graphics with names like 2103CM_MstrSubTitle_txt, 2103CM_MstrSubTitle_subtxt, 2103CM_MstrSubTitle_bg. This set of animation presets will generate a lower-third graphic for my client, CM, that fits any sized comp because of the included expressions. All it takes is an empty comp of the desired size and three double clicks in the Effects and Presets panel, starting with the bg (background) preset and moving up. If the client needs a change, I can then modify that master project, replace the modified Animation Presets, and generate a new MOGRT that I would name 2525CM_MstrSubTitle, reflecting today's job number (2025CM) and the graphic (2025CM_MstrSubTitle.MOGRT) I created for my client. I then share the new master MOGRT with the client so everything matches. The number of custom animation presets goes up and down every year as I clean up, organize, and archive my files. I can find enough information in my archives to find design guidelines, samples, and notes that will allow me to recreate projects that match the designs I created in 1994 when I started using After Effects and archiving my work on a computer.

This is the most efficient workflow I can think of until AEP project files maintain a link to any imported projects. It simplifies billing because of the Job Number and time tracking by job number and provides clients with a very simple way to manage their in-house productions and match any changes to their Brand Standards. 

I hope this helps.

[Aykhan33031895pjc8]

Thanks for the pro tips!
Personally, I find them too much of a workaround. I heard once of a step, correct me if I’m wrong: it was possible to start After Effects with a setting (can't find it anymore): “start with project folders”. I had then a folder with pictures, even ae files, where I was able to return and change them. And so every time I opened a new project, ae was referring to the folder. Heard of that? 

[Hani ElTiby]

I have a request for this feature.
https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects-ideas/import-ae-compositions-into-after-effects-as-dyna...