About Still-Image Sequences; To Import A Still-Image Sequence As A Sequence File - Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 7.0 Manual

About still-image sequences

After Effects can import a sequence of still images if they all reside within one folder and use the same numeric or
alphabetic file name pattern (such as Sequence1, Sequence2, Sequence3, and so forth). You can import them by using
any of the following methods:
•
As a sequence file where the layers in the file, if any, are merged.
•
As a sequence file (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator files with layers only) where the same layer in each
file—for example, layer 3—is imported and used in the sequence.
•
As a composition (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator files with layers only) where every layer across the
group of files is imported as a separate sequence and appears as a separate layer in the Timeline panel.
After Effects uses the dimensions and bit depth of the first image in the sequence. It then imports (in numeric or
alphabetic order) all still images in the folder that have the same file name pattern and file type as the one you
selected. Each image, once imported into the sequence, represents one frame.
Note: When you render a composition that contains a numbered sequence, the output module uses the start frame
number as the first frame number. For example, if you start to render on frame 25, the name of the file is 00025. (See
"To work in the Render Queue panel" on page 602.)
A sequence of still-image files (left) becomes one image sequence when imported into After Effects (right).

To import a still-image sequence as a sequence file

1 Choose File > Import > File.
Locate and select any file in the sequence. To import a subset of files in a sequence, select the first file, hold down
2
Shift, and then select the last file you want to include.
Choose Footage from the Import As menu.
3
Select the [file format name] Sequence option.
4
If you want to import alphabetically, select Force Alphabetical Order.
5
6 Click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac OS).
In the [file name] dialog box, choose one of the following from the Choose Layer menu:
7
Merges all the layers in each individual file to one layer.
Merged Layers
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