- Footage gives you an option to import the psd file as a flat image or choose a specific layer
- Composition–Document Size will import your photoshop layers as separate AE elements and automatically combine them into a comp, preserving original layer positions. All layers will be the size of your photoshop file and have the same anchor point/position values.
- Composition–Preserve Layer Size will import photoshop layers in the same way as the above option, but will size each layer according to its actual pixel dimensions. With this option, each layer will have a different anchor point/position value. For complex animations, I recommend this import option.
Importing Illustrator layers:
- After Effects does not recognize Illustrator sublayers as individual layers. In order to import separate layers from Illustrator, make sure you create a new layer for every independent element.
- After Effects has a slightly different importing menu for Illustrator files than for Photoshop files, though the options remain the same:
- Choose footage or composition from the top of the menu
- Choose document size or layer size from the bottom of the menu
- You can also choose to import an individual layer
Working with Vector Files (Illustrator) — Continuously Rasterize
In order for vector files (files you import from illustrator as well as assets you create directly in After Effects) to maintain sharp edges when scaling above 100%, make sure to turn on the Continuously Rasterize switch.
Working with Bitmap files (Photoshop)
Bitmap (pixel-based) files can't be scaled above 100% without quality loss. When working with a Photoshop file and planning to scale the asset, make sure to build it at dimensions larger than the composition size. For example, if your comp size is 1920 x 1080, and you are planning to scale an object about 300%, build it at about 6000 pixels wide (1920*3).
Parenting
- To parent layers (or a group of layers) to another layer on the timeline:
- select the child layer(s)
- use the @ icon in the Parent column (to the left of the layer name) to drag and drop over the parent layer
- OR select the parent layer name from the drop-down menu in the Parent column
