decorative banner

Importing a sequence of still-image files


    After Effects can import a sequence of still images with the same numeric or alphabetic filename pattern and automatically combine them into a single sequence file. In sequence files, each original file represents one frame. After Effects uses the dimensions and bit depth of the first image in the sequence. It then imports (in numeric or alphabetic order) all still images in the folder that have the same filename pattern and file type as the one you selected.

    A sequence of still-image files (left) becomes one image sequence when imported into After Effects (right).
    A sequence of still-image files (left) becomes one image sequence when imported into After Effects (right).

To import a sequence of still images:

  1. Move all the files in the sequence to the same folder.
  2. In After Effects, choose File > Import > File.
  3. Locate and select any file in the sequence.
  4. Select the file format name Sequence option.
  5. If you want to import alphabetically, select Force Alphabetical Order. Then click Open.
  6. Note: You can import a subset of a numbered sequence by using a variation of this procedure. In step 3, select the first file you want to include, hold down Shift, and select the last file you want to include. In this case, only the two files you selected appear highlighted in the Import File dialog box, but all files that fall between those two in the sequence will also be imported.

To import a folder of still images as a sequence by dragging:

  1. Drag the folder from the desktop to the After Effects Project window.
  2. After Effects imports the first sequence that is listed in the folder, based on the filename.

    You can also import an existing sequence as individual footage files. There are two ways to accomplish this.

To import a sequence as individual footage files:

    Do either of the following:

    • Choose File > Import > File to open the Import File dialog box, locate and select the folder, and then click the Import Folder button.
    • On the desktop, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) and drag the folder into either the After Effects icon on the desktop or into the Project window.

    When you import a sequence of still images, they assume the frame rate specified in the Preferences. The default rate is 30 frames per second (fps). You can change the frame rate for the sequence either before or after importing.

To change the default frame rate for a sequence before importing:

  1. Choose Edit > Preferences > Import.
  2. Under Sequence Footage, type a new default frame rate, and then click OK.
  3. The Sequence Footage frame rate box

To assign a frame rate to a sequence you've already imported:

  1. In the Project window, select the sequence of still images.
  2. Choose File > Interpret Footage > Main.
  3. Select Assume This Frame Rate and type the frame rate you want.