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Illustrator Layers to AE layers
Hello All,
I was really hoping someone could help me with this problem I’ve been having. I have an Illustrator file (using AI CS3) that has 1 layer with 12 sublayers that I want to bring into After Effects, intact with its 12 layers. It is my understanding that AE (I’m also using CS3) only recognizes top-level layers. In the past, I’ve just sucked it up and made a new top-level layer, and dropped each sublayer into each one and it’ll work okay. But I am finding myself doing this more and more, with more complex AI files with more and more layer. There must be an easier way to automate all of the sublayers into top-level layers!I’ve researched this to the point where my eyes are about to bleed. On this forum and many others. Some people say ‘look into to Release to Layers (Sequence)’ command in the fly-out panel on the Layers palette in AI. This sounds like it would work, but it simply does not make a group of sublayers into top level layers. It doesn’t. Try it. For me, it just makes new sublayers with new names and selection colors. But they are still sublayers that are not recognized by AE.
The closest I’ve come is this page: https://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.59b57402 , where a guy wrote a script to do seemingly exactly what I want, but it didn’t work for me.
Sorry. I’m kind of frustrated at this point. I would be oh so grateful if some kind person could shed some light on this topic for me.
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3 Replies
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in ai, twirl down the top level layer to reveal the child layers.
select the child layers and drag them above the top level layer.
now you should have all the child layers as independent layers. the original top level layer can be deleted (it’s empty now).
save it with pdf compatibility option on, and import it into ae as a comp. it should maintain all your layers…
Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW -
I’ve had the same trouble for 3 days now, got totally perplexed by the darn thing. I also think it may have affected me in some way, not quite religious, but def somewhere in the old gray matter.
Anyway, First thought it was coz there where so many layers. (898 in total don’t ask!) Done all the layer , sublayer, child layer, layer on top, layer on bottom, missionary, scissors, paper stone, new comp, copy past delete, delete original etc etc. All objects on own layer, with left hand tied behind your back. aggghhh drive yourself mad stuff, I now believe in RSI by the way coz my arm aches like crazy.
Still no results.
Did above post, nothing. My computer is about to go out the office window I think then went into the I’m actually a very clever powerful, logical, yet stupid computer zone after a cup of tea and so in a final this ain’t gonna work surely, saved it as an Illustrator 8 file.
And guess what….
… the darn thing works.
Now to animate, can’t wait, this is gonna be a pre-comper, multi viewer lovers wet dream.
?
Hope this helps/amuses – remember you’re not alone, you’re not mad.
your computer is your worst enemy, keep it very very close.
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I’VE FOUND THE SOLUTION!!
In the right had side of the layers panel you’ll see an arrow with 3 lines next to it. Highlight your main layer (one that holds all paths), click the icon then select “Release to Layers (Sequence)”. This makes all sublayers layers.
All you have to do now is bring your converted layers above the group layer then you delete it.
Done! 😀
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