The Standard Import Method

Importing multiple sequences into Adobe After Effects is a common task, whether you're working with image sequences (like TIFF or PNG file series) or multiple video files. The primary method involves using the standard import function and selecting the desired files or sequences.

To begin importing sequences or other files into After Effects, you use the File > Import > File command. This opens a standard file browser window where you can navigate to the location of your files.

Selecting Multiple Files

Once the import dialog is open, you can select multiple files or sequences using standard operating system methods:

• To select a range of files or sequences: Click the first file you want to import, hold down the Shift key, and then click the last file. This selects all files between the first and last clicked item.
• To select individual, non-contiguous files or sequences: Hold down the Ctrl key (Windows) or Cmd key (macOS) and click each file or sequence you want to import.

After selecting your files, click Import.

Importing Image Sequences

After Effects is designed to recognize image sequences automatically. If you have a series of numbered or alphabetically ordered image files (e.g., frame001.png, frame002.png, frame003.png), After Effects will detect this.

Importing a Full Image Sequence

To import an entire image sequence:

1. Go to File > Import > File.
2. Navigate to the folder containing your image sequence.
3. Select the first file of the sequence. After Effects should automatically check the "PNG Sequence," "JPEG Sequence," "TIFF Sequence," etc., option at the bottom of the import dialog.
4. Click Import. After Effects will import the entire sequence as a single footage item.

Importing a Subset of an Image Sequence

You can import only a specific range of frames from an image sequence using the method described in the reference:

1. Go to File > Import > File.
2. Navigate to the folder with the image sequence.
3. According to the documentation, select the first file, hold down Shift, and then select the last file to import. This method allows you to define the exact start and end frames for your import, bringing in only that specific subset of the image sequence.
4. Ensure the sequence option (like "PNG Sequence") is still checked if importing as a single footage item. If importing as individual layers, that option might be unchecked.
5. Click Import.

Importing Multiple Separate Sequences or Video Files

If you have several distinct image sequences (e.g., SeqA_001.png, SeqA_002.png and SeqB_001.jpg, SeqB_002.jpg) or multiple separate video files (.mov, .mp4, etc.) that you want to import simultaneously:

1. Go to File > Import > File.
2. Navigate to the folder containing the files.
3. Use the Shift-click method to select a range of consecutive sequences/files in the list, or the Ctrl/Cmd-click method to select individual, non-consecutive sequences/files.
   • Note: When selecting multiple image sequences this way, After Effects should detect each sequence individually if you select the first file of each. Make sure the sequence option is checked for each detected sequence if you want them imported as single footage items.
4. Click Import.

Each selected sequence (imported as a single item) or video file will appear as a separate footage item in your Project panel, ready to be used in compositions.

By following these steps, you can efficiently import multiple sequences, subsets of sequences, or individual video files into your After Effects project.