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Substituting a low-resolution proxy for footage
Movies, images, and compositions used as layers can take up significant amounts of RAM and disk space when used in compositions, and can slow down working and rendering in elaborate projects. Using low-resolution proxy items in place of actual items is a way to lighten the burden on your computer and speed your work. Effects, masks, and properties applied to the proxy are applied to the actual footage item when you replace the proxy with the actual footage.
When you use a proxy, After Effects replaces the actual footage with the proxy in all compositions that use the actual footage item. When you finish working, you can switch back to the actual footage item in the project list. After Effects then replaces the proxy with the actual footage item in any composition.
When you render your composition as a movie, you may choose to use either all the actual high-resolution footage items or their proxies. You might want to use the proxies for a rendered movie if, for example, you simply want to test motion using a rough movie that renders quickly.
For best results, set a proxy so that it has the same aspect ratio as the actual footage item. For example, if the actual footage item is a 640 x 480-pixel movie, create and use a 160 x 120-pixel proxy. When a proxy item is imported, After Effects scales the item to the same size and duration as the actual footage. If you create a proxy with an aspect ratio that is different from that of the actual footage item, scaling will take longer.
To locate and use a proxy:
- In the Project window, select a footage item.
- Choose File > Set Proxy > File.
- In the Set Proxy File dialog box, locate and select the file you want to use as the proxy, and click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac OS).
To toggle between using the original footage and its proxy:
In the Project window, click the proxy indicator to the left of the footage name.
To stop using a proxy:
- In the Project window, select the original footage item.
- Choose File > Set Proxy > None.