From Storyboards to Animatics
By Brian J. Immel
After Effects and PSDs
Now that we are in After Effects, we can import any type of image format we like. When you import (File > Import…) you will notice that you have three choices of how to import.
1. File allows you to bring in one file at a time.
2. Multiple Files allows you to bring in as many files as you want until you hit cancel or esc key.
3. Placeholder allows you to create a link to a temporary (and usually low-resolution) file that can be updated at a later time.
When we import a PSD into After Effects, you should change the Import As option from Footage to Composition. When you import a PSD as a composition, it will create a folder and list all the layers, folders and adjustments into a neat little folder in your library. The folder will take the name of the PSD you just imported and create a composition with the same name also.
If something is wrong with image after the fact we imported it into After Effects, we can always go back to the PSD in Photoshop, make changes, save and hit the update option in After Effects on the selected PSD file/layer (File > Reload Footage or Alt+Ctrl+L). This is one of the major advantages to using the same family of softwares.
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