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How do I import frame by frame in After Effects?

Published in After Effects Animation 3 mins read

To import a sequence of images as a frame-by-frame video in After Effects, you'll use the "Import" function and ensure the sequence is recognized as such. Here's how:

  1. Open After Effects and Create a New Project (if needed). If you don't already have a project open, create one by going to File > New > New Project.

  2. Import the Image Sequence:

    • Go to File > Import > File... or press Ctrl+I (Windows) or Cmd+I (Mac).
    • Navigate to the folder containing your image sequence (e.g., image001.jpg, image002.jpg, etc.).
    • Crucially, select the first image in the sequence. For example, select "image001.jpg".
    • Make sure the "Import as Sequence" or "Image Sequence" box is checked at the bottom of the Import dialog. This tells After Effects to treat the files as a single video clip instead of individual images.
    • Click "Open".

  3. Interpret Footage (Optional): After importing, the sequence will appear in your Project panel. You might want to adjust the frame rate. To do this:

    • Right-click on the imported sequence in the Project panel.
    • Select "Interpret Footage" > "Main..."
    • Adjust the "Frame Rate" to your desired frames per second (fps). The default is often 30 fps, but you might want something lower or higher, depending on your source material. Entering a lower frame rate will make the sequence play slower, and a higher frame rate will make it play faster.
    • Click "OK".

  4. Create a Composition: Now that you've imported your image sequence, you need to create a composition to view and work with it.

    • Drag the imported image sequence from the Project panel down to the "Create a New Composition" button (the small icon resembling a filmstrip) at the bottom of the Project panel. This will automatically create a new composition with the same dimensions and duration as your image sequence.
    • Alternatively, you can manually create a new composition by going to Composition > New Composition. Set the desired width, height, frame rate, and duration, then drag the image sequence from the Project panel into the Timeline panel.

  5. Preview and Adjust: Your image sequence is now a layer within your composition. You can preview the animation by pressing the spacebar. Adjust the composition settings, layer properties (position, scale, rotation, etc.), and effects as needed to achieve your desired look.

Troubleshooting:

  • Image Sequence Not Recognized: If After Effects doesn't recognize the sequence, double-check that:
    • The "Image Sequence" option is checked during import.
    • The images are named sequentially (e.g., image001.jpg, image002.jpg, image003.jpg). Gaps in the sequence can cause issues.
    • All images are in the same folder.
    • All images are of the same file type (e.g., all JPG, all PNG).
  • Frame Rate Issues: Ensure the frame rate in the "Interpret Footage" settings is correct. An incorrect frame rate will result in the animation playing too fast or too slow.
  • Missing Frames: If frames are missing, you'll need to ensure the sequence is complete before importing. After Effects won't automatically fill in gaps.

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