How to import Illustrator layers to After Effects

Let's say you have vector layers in Illustrator you want to insert into After Effects.

To do this, you can just drag the illustrator file directly into After Effects, but before we do that, we want to make sure the illustrations are separated into individual layers.

Every top layer in Illustrator will turn into ONE shape, so if you have sublayers in here that you want to turn into separate shapes, then separate them first.

Now, save and close the document and then drag the Illustrator file into the After Effects window.

There are 4 choices you need to make now in order to turn your Illustrator file into individual shape layers and I will show you a visual explanation of these 4 choices at the end of the video for you to take a screenshot of if you like.

First, in the popup window, you click "Footage".
Second, you choose "Merged layers".
The word "Merged" can be a bit misleading here, but in this context, it basically means "All layers".

Third, you drag your file into your composition, right-click on it and choose "Create" and "Convert to Layered Comp".

Now you have created a separate composition containing your top layers from your Illustrator document.

Now, the fourth and final step is to select all of the layers, right-click on them, and go to "Create" again but now you click "Create Shapes From Vector Layer".

This will create new shape layers from each Illustrator layer and now you can delete your Illustrator layers and the file you imported because now you have created your own shapes inside After Effects.

Here's an illustration showing the 4 different choices you have to make in order to achieve this. If you're a visual person like me, this will hopefully make this process easier to understand.

I hope you liked this video and if you want to see more quick tutorials just like this one, please subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell so you don't miss out on my next video!

Thanks for watching, keep learning, and have a great day!

**********

🎁 FREE RESOURCES FOR VIDEO CREATORS:

⭐ FREE plugins for Premiere Pro & After Effects:

⭐ FREE browser extension for YouTube Growth:

⭐ 2 extra months of music library "Artlist" for FREE:

OTHER RESOURCES FOR CREATORS:

🚀 Want to become a better Content Creator?
Get resources, digital products, and BTS content here:

🧠 Learn more about Adobe Premiere Pro:

🧠 Learn more about Adobe After Effects:

✈️🗽 Follow my journey as a Content Creators:

🧰🛠 Check out what camera gear I use:

**********

GEAR I USE (AND RECOMMEND):

**********

📲 CONNECT WITH ME HERE:

**********

DISCLAIMER: This video and description might contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I'll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank You for your support! 🙏
(All links are my genuine recommendations.)

#AfterEffects #Illustrator #VideoEditing

[DavidLindgren]

FREE motion graphic package for #PremierePro:

FREE browser extension for YouTube Growth:

[hetverhaalvandewasbeer]

Quick and easy, exactly the way I like it. And even with a recap at the end, all in 2 minutes. Great job man!!

[jmsbyd]

This isn't working for me, the stuff from the AI file isnt showing once ive converted to a layered comp

[Solarized]

I forgot how to do it, thanks a lot dude. This was super helpful and went straight to the point.

[safetyhomeloans]

wow wow wow, , , , what did I just experience!!!! Talk about a top-notch Tutorial!!!! David Kudos to you sir, this has been one if not the best STRUCTURED tutorial I've come across...THUMBS UP and you got yourself a new subscriber!!!

[chungmanwong]

Super clear and easy to understand for beginners. Thanks for making the video.

[zapping]

This was super helpful! Especially for a beginner like me. Thank you for the quick tutorial!

[ZeKoruja]

Something happened on my After Effects, I don't know if it was me, but I could import illustrator files with every layer just perfect, and now it won't let me do it. Any way I try to import an illustrator file it doesn't show me that window asking about import kind, and etc. It just imports an AI file without any layer. What did I do wrong?

[scouter-xnzi]

"Jewell tutorials". Not easy to follow from the first view, unless you are English native speaker, however they are always to-the-point. Add value to our time and knowledge.

[VJIX]

Love you videos, this was super helpful!

[AdrianSchram]

Hey there, it didn't show any options while importing it into after effects 0:34. What can i do about it?

[adeelazam]

how we can import stroke in after effects from illustrator

[RobertoVillaLobby]

Hi, when i click on create shapes from vector layer it turns the gradient i had in the logo emblem to a gray fill. Is there a way to perserve this? Thanks a lot for the help.

[LifeBloodMarketing]

I have a top layer in illustrator, inside that there are 5 other elements, moving those into their own layers isn't intuitive at all. Convert to lay, then drag out from top layer.

[studyatease]

Can we retain the editability of text elements? thanks for the short but informative video my nigga. this is awesome.

[jeffersonmarvel]

0:33 on this i didnt saw any import kind of that things

[zoekmath]

why is converting them into shapes necessary? it seems the layers that have anything like gradients get turned into grey squares

[ezkymos]

There's no need to convert to shape once you separated layers. It's even better to not do it so if you edit your Illustrator file, changes apply automatically in After Effects.

[meshi.]

you really helped me quickly! without wasting time thankss

[Roymmuchanka]

When i create sharp from vector layer my screen is turning gray. What could be the reason