How to export Illustrator layers as transparent files for After Effects?

[stevens70907226]

I thought learning how to make things in Illustrator was hard, I had no idea exporting things would be so complicated! 

I have a 24 layer project in Illustrator that I want to export into After Effects so that I can assemble the pieces and animate them. One of two things seems to keep happening: Either they come into AE with a background and the achor point in the very center or 2) the layers are merged into one document with no background and the anchor point in the center. 

From what I'm reading, a PNG file is what I want.  What do I need to do to export the individual layers into After Effects so that I can put them together as an animation? 

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

You can simply import the Illustrator file with layers into After Effects. Make sure they are main layers, not sub layers.

Import as composition and turn on the Continuously Rasterize button.