How To Import Photoshop Animations In After Effects

by | Oct 17, 2023 | Adobe After Effects, Photoshop

How To Import Photoshop Animations In After Effects

Description:
This tutorial will show you how to Export Photoshop Animations and then import into Adobe After Effects CC 2023. This works for Video Timeline & Frame Animations in Photoshop.

Note:
Video Timeline Animations from Photoshop will import into After Effects as-is using PSD File.
Frame Animations from Photoshop require a few additional steps when importing to After Effects

Online Frame Calculator:
https://www.zapstudio.net/framecalc/

Keyboard Shortcuts:
Move CTI Forward: Cmd/Ctrl + Right Arrow (>)
Trim Layers: Opt/Alt + Right Bracket Key ( ] )

Chapters:
00:00  Intro: About The Tutorial
00:28  How To Import Video Timeline Animation
00:39  Save As Photoshop PSD File
00:56  Import PSD To After Effects
01:15  Import Dialog Box
01:40  Open Composition
01:55  How To Import Frame Animation
02:33  Online Frame Calculator (Link in Description)
02:48  Save Frame Animation As Photoshop File
03:02  Import PSD To After Effects
03:32  Select All Frames + Move CTI To Beginning
03:48  Move Forward 4 Frames (Cmd/Ctrl + Right Arrow)
04:01  Trim All Layers (Opt/Alt + Right Bracket Key)

Software Used:
Adobe Photoshop CC 2024 (Click To Try or Buy)
Adobe After Effects CC 2024 (Click To Try or Buy)

How To Import Video Timeline from Photoshop To After Effects:

  1. Open Video Timeline Animaton in Photoshop
  2. Save as Photoshop PSD Document
  3. Open Adobe After Effects CC 2024
  4. Go to File Menu…Import or double-click in the Project Panel
  5. Select Video Animation Photoshop PSD file
  6. Import As ‘Composition – Retain Layer Sizes’
  7. Tick ‘Create Composition’
  8. Click ‘Open’
  9. Tap Spacebar To Preview Animation
  10. The animation should look the same as in Photoshop


How To Import Frame Animation from Photoshop To After Effects:

  1. Open Frame by Frame Animation in Photoshop
  2. Save as Photoshop PSD Document
  3. Open Adobe After Effects CC 2024
  4. Go to File Menu…Import or double-click in the Project Panel
  5. Select Frame Animation Photoshop PSD file
  6. Import As ‘Composition – Retain Layer Sizes’
  7. Tick ‘Create Composition’
  8. Click ‘Open’
  9. Select Bottom Layer (Frame 1)
  10. Hold Shift Key
  11. Select Top Layer (Frame 28)
  12. Drag CTI to the beginning of Timeline
  13. Move Forward 4 (or preferred timing) Frames (Cmd/Ctrl + Right Arrow)
  14. Trim All Layers by clicking Option/Alt + Right Bracket Key
  15. Right-click on Layers
  16. Go to Keyframe Assistant…Sequence
  17. Click ‘OK’
  18. Make all frames visible
  19. Tap Spacebar to Preview Animation
  20. Animation should look the same now as in Photoshop

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