Continuously rasterizing an Adobe Illustrator file

You can continuously rasterize an Adobe Illustrator file at any time while designing your project. When you apply an effect to a continuously rasterized layer, the results of the effect may be different than when you apply the effect to a non-rasterized layer. This is because the default rendering order for the layer changes. When applying effects, keep in mind that the default rendering order for a non-rasterized layer is masks, effects, and then geometrics (transformations), whereas the default rendering order for a continuously rasterized layer is masks, geometrics (transformations), and then effects. So, for example, if you have an Adobe Illustrator file that has a picture of a dog in it and you want to animate the scale of the dog and apply the Bulge effect to the dog's nose, turn off continuous rasterization so that the bulge will stay on the dog's nose as the picture scales larger and smaller. If you apply an effect to a continuously rasterized layer, make sure to check the results of the effect before continuing to work on your project.

Note: You cannot paint interactively on a continuously rasterized layer; however, you can apply a paint effect by copying and pasting or using the Favorites menu.

Whether you choose to continuously rasterize or not, if you view and render a composition using Best Quality, After Effects anti-aliases (smooths) the art.


Adobe Illustrator file imported and rasterized in After Effects A. Original B. Enlarged with Continuously Rasterize switch turned off C. Enlarged with Continuously Rasterize switch turned on

To continuously rasterize an Adobe Illustrator file:

1. Select the layer containing the Adobe Illustrator file in the Timeline window.
2. Click the Collapse Transformations/Continuously Rasterize switch so that the "on" icon  appears for that layer.

Note: When you turn on Collapse Transformations/Continuously Rasterize, the Layer window closes and you cannot open it until you turn the switch off.