Preparing layered Adobe Photoshop files

Importing layers into After Effects makes it possible to prearrange a composition in Adobe Photoshop using layers and preserve those layers in After Effects so that they are ready for animation. Preserving layers is also useful if you want to use a single Adobe Photoshop file as a source for both print and dynamic media.

Before you import a layered Adobe Photoshop file, prepare it thoroughly to reduce preview and rendering time. Avoid problems importing and updating Adobe Photoshop layers by naming them properly. Before you import them into After Effects, do the following:

• Organize and name layers. If you change a layer name in an Adobe Photoshop file after you have imported it into After Effects, After Effects retains the link to the original layer. However, if you delete a layer, After Effects is unable to find the original layer and lists it as Missing in the Project window.
• Make sure that each layer has a unique name to avoid confusion.
• If you want to import a composited version of a layered Adobe Photoshop file along with a layered version, select Always Maximize Compatibility for Photoshop (PSD) Files in the Photoshop File Handling Preferences dialog box.