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Importing layers from Adobe Illustrator 5.0 and later


    You can import a multilayered Adobe Illustrator file in the following ways:

    • As a new composition, with each layer in the Adobe Illustrator file becoming a separate layer in the composition
    • As a single still image imported from any one layer in the Adobe Illustrator file
    • As a single still image imported from all the Adobe Illustrator layers merged together

To import a layered Adobe Illustrator file as a layered composition:

  1. Choose File > Import > File.
  2. In the Import File dialog box, make sure that All Acceptable Files is selected in the Files of Type box; then locate and select an Adobe Illustrator file.
  3. In Import File As, choose Composition, and then click Open.
  4. The original filename is used twice in the Project window: for the file as a composition and for the folder containing all the layers as separate footage items.

To import an Adobe Illustrator file or one of its layers as a single footage item:

  1. Choose File > Import > File.
  2. In the Import File dialog box, make sure that All Acceptable Files is selected in the Files of Type box; then locate and select an Adobe Illustrator file.
  3. In Import File As, choose Footage, and then click Open.
  4. In the Import Adobe Illustrator dialog box, select a layer to import from the file, or choose Merged Layers to import all layers in the file as a single layer in After Effects. Then click OK.