Convert an Illustrator layer into a shape layer. Select the Illustrator layer to convert. Go to Layer Create Create Shapes from Vector Layer. Open and adjust the layer options for the newly created shape layer to take advantage of the unique animation possibilities provided by shape layers. In this quick tip i will show you how to copy an path from illustrator straight into after effects. In 'Motion Graphics: Make Awesome Motion Graphics in Adobe After Effects & Adobe Illustrator' course, we’re gonna create an amazing Motion Graphics together from scratch and so you don’t need any prior knowledge in these programs to follow along with this course.In this course you will learn Motion Graphics in After Effects STEP-BY-STEP, so even if you've never opened these programs before. Learn how to create pixel-like 3D letters using Illustrator’s 3D extrude and bevel effects. You will create compound paths, colorize and organize shapes, create simple backgrounds, and add subtle shading by using the transform effect.
Illustrator has great drawing tools. That's what it was designed for. There are some things you need to know to make it play nicely with After Effects.
You usually need to animate almost every element in the design, so you have to have files that are super clean and well labeled. You might be tempted to get lazy if the file isn't complex, but labeling layers is a good habit to get into.
Here's a guide for organizing your illustrator file.
Hey motion designers, you can send this to designers who are going to send you Illustrator files for animation.
Don't give them a hard time about it; no one has probably ever taken the time to explain it to them. Don't expect perfect files, but if they can help you out in any way, you'll be able to turn around an animation that much quicker.
All elements you want to animate go on a separate top level layer in Illustrator
When you import an Illustrator file into After Effects, 95% of the time you'll probably want to import as Composition - Retain Layer Size
Renaming layers is easier in After Effects (see below for details)
Stay organized!
Only one artboard in Illustrator
Don't mess with your Illustrator files much after you've started animating (colors are fine)
Everything on it's own layer
Anything that you want to animate needs to be on it's own top layer. It's pretty simple. Just do it.
Organize for your future self
You never know when you'll need or want to dig back into a file. And whether it's the next day or the next month, if you don't label your file well, you're definitely going to be kicking yourself. I'm probably preaching to the choir on this one, but you probably also need the reminder and encouragement.
Artboards
Artboards can be great for storyboarding, but when you're preparing a file for animating in After Effects, it's best to create new files for each artboard. After Effects will only import the first artboard.
Don't mess with Illustrator files too much once they've been used in After Effects
Changing Illustrator files after they been used in After Effects can cause problems. You're pretty safe if you're changing colors, or doing minor adjustments to the shape, but adding new layers (or deleting layers) or making major changes to the design can cause big problems in After Effects. What you can do if you need to make big changes is duplicate the Illustrator file, make your changes, and re-import into After Effects. This does mean you have to start the animation over again.
In After Effects, go to File > Import > File (Cmd+I)...
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Use your Adobe Illustrator files to create stunning motion graphics for your next project in After Effects.
Cover image via Shutterstock.
Adobesoftware applications work quite well together; you just need to know the ins and out of each program. In this tutorial, we’re going to take a look at how to work with Illustratorfiles in Adobe After Effects. Specifically, we’ll look at how to bring AI layers into AE and prepare them for animation. I’m going to show you how to prepyour file in Illustrator, and I’ll also teach you all of the ways to importyour file in After Effects. Finally, I will go over a few methods of manipulatingthe AI file further once it’s in After Effects.
Let’s get started!
The Project
I’m working on a motion graphics project that consists of animatinga map of the United States. My client has provided me with a layered EPSvector graphic file of the United States that they want me to use in the animation. They’ve asked me to take this map and create a variety of animations, including an animation for each individual state. Let’s take a look at the file and see how I can work with this file in Adobe After Effects.
Illustrator After Effects Copy Paste
Prep the Illustrator File
First, I will save my EPS file as an .ai or Adobe Illustrator file since After Effects provides more support for this file format. To ensure that Illustrator files appear correctly in After Effects, I’ll select Create PDF Compatible File in the Illustrator Optionsdialog box. Another issue I have with this file is the fact that everything is located in one layer. Since AE only displays AI layers, I need to put all of the individual states in their own layer. To do this, I’ll select all of the states in layer 1 and select Release to Layers. Now my AI file is prepped for import.
Animation Using Illustrator And After Effects
Import into After Effects
I have several options when bringing an AI file into After Effects. When I importan Illustrator file, I get the import dialogue box, which provides me with two options: Footage and Composition. If I import my file as Footage, I can choose to mergeall of the layers into one, or I can import a specific layer on its own. I can further specify if I want the layers to retain their size or scale up to be the size of the document. If I choose Composition, a new composition will appear in my AE project that will include all of the imported layers from the file.
Create Shapes from Layers
Once I have my Illustrator files in After Effects, I can make further adjustments. To provide myself with more versatility when animating, I can turn all of my Illustrator layers intoshapes. To do this, I’ll select my layers in the comp I imported and go to Layer > Create Shapes From Layers. Using shape layers opens up a number possibilities, including quickly changing the fill and stroke options, adding a gradient, changing the path, adding a wiggle effect, and a handful of other features.
Looking for more tips and tricks? Check out these resources.