Working with .ai vector file's clipping masks

[nmycps]

This screenshot below is a project I'm starting (ultra-beginner with AE) using an .ai vector file that contains 4 clipping masks which are the smaller yellow windows circled in red. I'm not finding in AE where I can manipulate these masks directly as in Illustrator. Also, it appears that my vector file has been rasterized.
What I want to do is place silhouettes in the 4 yellow windows using their existing clipping masks, which will transform (animate) from very blurred to sharp silhouettes as the objects approach the windows. I wonder if I have to import the vector file without the windows, then import them seperately and layer them over the building? Thanks for any help.

[Sarah Talbot]

You're on the right track with your idea of using a separate layer to create your clipping mask!

Also to quickly address the "rasterizing" question: Yes .ai layers will be rasterized by default. You can the click the box next to the "layer shy" toggle in the timeline (the little asterisk looking toggle) to "continuously rasterize" a layer so that the composition treats it more like a vector layer. More, better explained info on that here.

Back to the masks:
AE uses a few different methods for masking: track mattes and layer masks. In this case, I think track mattes are going to be a good choice. On each layer, you can select a different layer from a dropdown menu in the timeline column "track matte," and the layer will use your selected layer as a mask. That's not quite all there is to it...so here's a link to Adobe's documentation on setting them up.
And honestly, there are a few ways you can choose to set up your mattes, especially in the latest AE update.
1. You don't have to go and re-import a new vector! You can right click on your window layer, and select "create shapes from vector layer" - this will turn any vectors into a shape layer, and you can treat that layer like a vector shape - note that this function doesn't import gradients (but you could rebuild them in the shape layer if you wanted). However, you can use this layer as your track matte and its visibility can be off. The benefit here is that all the shapes are the same as your .ai layer, with no need to import something new.
2. The newest version of AE lets you use any layer as your track matte AND keep the matte layer's visibility on - so you could actually set the track matte on your sillhouettes to what is "layer 1" in your screenshot, and not need to duplicate any layers at all. 

There's a lot of little details involved in AE masking, but hopefully this can give you a start! You'll get the hang of all the terms quickly!

[Sarah Talbot]

Quick edit upon a re-read - since I couldn't see all the layers in timeline I assumed the windows were separated from the background. oops!

If the windows aren't their own layer then yes! You'll add them to their own layer in .ai and need to import those. When working between AI and AE, anything you want to keep separated from each other in AE needs to be on its own layer in AI before you import. (There are great tools like Overlord by Battleaxe that help with this but since you mentioned you were a beginner, you may want to look into that later!)

[Mylenium]

Clipping masks need to be transferreed over to AE via Copy & Paste. Even if you convert your artwork to shape layers (which half the time isn't necessary, anyway) the effect can't be achieved directly. AE simply works differently. As already advised, using track mattes would likely be the best way to achieve what you want, though you'll probably have to pre-compose the windows and bars to really sandwich anything between them and the yellow background. In a way you've invested way too much work in AI already and now need to take a step back to get a setup that is workable in AE.

Mylenium

[nmycps]

A great deal of new techniques to learn awaits me in AE. Thanks Sarah for the links and explanation and Mylenium, for providing some ways forward. I didn't know clipping masks needed a copy/paste. I'll try that.  I'll have to explore further the meaning of a track matte. All new stuff this is. Below is basically what the animation sequence will kind of look like with a gradually focused silhouette masked within the window. Hopefully I'll get this to work eventually. 

[Sarah Talbot]

Awesome! Your concept looks good so this will be a good place to learn!

Mylenium's right in that you can copy those paths in AI and paste them on a layer on AE to get a layer mask. Layer masks will always stick to your layer and follow it around, no matter how you transform that layer. You'll see the mask paths if you toggle open your layer in the timeline after adding one. Track mattes are separate layers, and are good to use in cases where you want to move or change a layer, but want to make sure the mask stays in one place, independant of the moving layer.

In AI, I would "unclip" objects that need to animate "under" a mask, and make sure the clipping mask shape is on its own layer separate from the object I want to mask later in AE (and filled or outlined). Then in AE, the clipping mask layer becomes your track matte layer. This is my personal strategy to keep everything organized- there are plenty of ways to approach it.

[Rick Gerard · Accepted solution]

Here are some basic rules for creating Illustrator files for video:

1. Make the Artboard the same size as your composition in points or pixels, or use a video template.
2. If you create your new file, any artwork that extends beyond the border of the Artboard will be cropped when you import the AI file as a composition or merged layers.
3. Turn on Pixel Preview and Snap to Pixel in the view menu to make sure that thin horizontal and vertical lines are perfectly aligned with the pixel grid.
4. If you use Raster Effects like Drop Shadow, the layer will be rasterized upon import. If you need raster effects and you think you are going to need to scale up the layer, then set the Raster Effect PPI to something higher than 72. There are no inches in the video, but Raster Effects creates more pixels if you increase the PPI setting so you can scale up the layer a bit before it falls apart. If you use Raster Effects, or Clipping Masks, it is a good idea to put them on a separate layer with a copy of the original layer without effects or clipping masks on it's own layer.
5. Any layer that you intend to convert to a Shape Layer needs to have no gradients, brushes, effects, or clipping masks applied to it or the conversion will require you to go in and manually edit all the groups, fills, and strokes. 
6. The only time you want to convert a vector layer (Illustrator footage) to a shape layer is when you need to animate the vector path, use shape layer animators, or extrude the layer using the appropriate 3D rendering option. 
7. Put any object you want to animate in AE on a separate layer.
8. Make sure the document is set to RGB color

I hope this helps. I spend a lot of time on the forum helping people that have not followed these guidelines and end up with fouled-up projects.

[nmycps]

Those are terrific points, and has been very useful already and saved much time. Thanks for the sound advice!