Note that you will only get the dialog box with these import options if you use Cmd+I or File>Import – if you just drag an Illustrator or Photoshop file into the project window, all the layers will be combined into one piece of media. When you import an Illustrator or Photoshop file, simply change the Import As drop-down from “Footage” to “Composition – Retain Layer Sizes.” (The “Composition” option will work also, but I find “Retain Layer Sizes” easier to work with.) If you’re using a Photoshop file, another screen may appear with the option to keep or merge your layer styles – I tend to choose “merge.” Once you’ve imported the file, it will appear as its own composition with each layer separated out. If you create your puppet in Photoshop or Illustrator, you can import those files with their layer structure intact. You can import these layers individually, but After Effects is also very good at playing with files created in other Adobe programs. Basically, any part of the figure that you want to animate should be on its own layer. Complex puppets will break down the figure more and more – you might have separate layers for parts of the face, finger segments, clothing, and more.
Let’s start with some simple pre-made figures – you can download a few at this link.Ī simple puppet might have the figure’s arms, legs, head, and body on different layers. Now that we know how to parent objects, pre-compose layers, and adjust anchor points, we can move on to actual character animation.
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