Importing layers from Adobe Illustrator

You can import a multilayered Adobe Illustrator file in the following ways:

• As a new composition, with each layer in the Adobe Illustrator file becoming a separate layer in the composition that keeps its original dimensions; this option, Composition - Cropped, makes it easier to manipulate layers, and speeds their rendering time.
• As a new composition, with each layer in the Adobe Illustrator file becoming a separate layer in the composition and changing dimensions to match the composition size; this option, Composition, is helpful when you need to align layers manually.
• As a single still image imported from any one layer in the Adobe Illustrator file.
• As a single still image imported from all the Adobe Illustrator layers merged together.

Note: When you import a multilayered Adobe Illustrator file as a composition, the Adobe Illustrator layer blending modes are preserved.

To import a layered Adobe Illustrator file as a layered composition:

1. Choose File > Import > File.
2. Select the name of the file you want to open. If the file does not appear, select the option for showing all files from the Files of Type (Windows) or the Show (Mac OS) pop-up menu.
3. Choose Composition, or Composition - Cropped Layers from the Import As pop-up menu, and then click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac OS).

The original filename is used twice in the Project window: for the file as a composition and for the folder containing each Adobe Illustrator layer as separate footage items.

To import an Adobe Illustrator file or one of its layers as a single footage item:

1. Choose File > Import > File.
2. Select the name of the file you want to open. If the file does not appear, select the option for showing all files from the Files of Type (Windows) or the Show (Mac OS) pop-up menu.
3. Choose Footage from the Import File As pop-up menu, and then click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac OS).
4. In the filename.ai dialog box, choose a layer to import or choose Merged Layers from the Choose Layer pop-up menu, and then choose Layer Size or Document Size from the Footage Dimensions pop-up menu.
5. Click OK.