Illustrator layers inside AE

Hi everyone!
Apologies again for my lack of knowledge in this area. I have multiple layers inside Illustrator, each with the shape outlines for different words. See this thread...
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/872916
...for details (and many thanks to CarlosCanto again!).
Everything works great inside Illustrator -- all of the layers are in sequential order of how they were typed. However, once I import the Illustrator file into After Effects, all of the layers are alphabetized by the name of the layer (no longer in the order they were originally typed). I need to preserve the layer order from Illustrator inside After Effects.
If anyone could help out it would be MUCH appreciated.
Thanks!
EDIT: I'm using all CS4 products, if that helps.

Okay... I suppose that works.
I ran into another problem though. The selection boxes around all of the layers are all the size of the composition, and not the size of the words. This makes it really difficult to move the words around by hand, because they're all stacked on top of each other.
When I imported the Illustrator file I chose "Import as Composition - Cropped Layers" thinking that would do the trick. Is there any way to make the selection boxes the size of the words and not the whole composition?
Thanks!

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Extracting unique identifier for illustrator layers

Hi All,
Multiple layers in an illustrator file can have the same name. So the layer name cannot be a unique identifier for layers. Is there a way to extract a unique identifier for layers through scripting? I saw that if the 'Identify Objects by' property (inside Preferences -> Units) is set to XML ID, all layer names, even identical ones are replaced by some unique ids. Can we extract these ids via scripting without manually changing the 'Identify Objects by' property. Basically, extraction of any unique identifier for illustrator layers would serve the purpose. I am really stuck with this and need help urgently. Any help would be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

When I found this I noticed it changed the name of the layers in the layers pallet.
I had not had a chance to test this with code.
If "use XML ID" is turned on then you are not able to name layers the same thing.
this in turn would follow through to your script using layer.name
for existing files you would need to fix names manually or...
I am sure it would be possible to Script.
eg. export SVG file and pull the layer ID's from that and rename the document layers accordingly. (may be a little tricky for sublayers, but top level layers should be straight forward)
Then as long as "use XML ID" is left on the files would not need this run again as you cannot use duplicate layer names.

PDF Layers to Illustrator layers

Hi,
Is it possible to open a PDF file with layers in AI and preserve the PDF layers as layers in AI?
Is it possible to do the other way round too?
Export an AI file with layers as PDF and preserve the layer structure?
Thanks,
Priya

Because Illustrator is not a pdf editor you won't be able to open a pdf with his layers preserved without a extra plugin, Esko has a plugin that supports this and more.
Is you save a pdf as at least a 1.5 out off Illustrator, the Illustrator layers will be in the pdf.

Disappearing Illustrator Layers/Assets, AE CS5

Hey guys,
First my specs, just in case:
MAC OSX 10.6.6
AE CS5 10.0.1.19
8-Core
24 GB RAM
I'm having the strangest issues with adobe illustrator layers in my timeline... they keep disappearing at random moments during playback. Somtimes its during RAM preview, somtimes its when I'm scrubbing the timeline, but never at the same point and it doesn't seem to be consistant for which layers dissapear or appear. To be clear, the layers themselves are not disappearing in the timeline, but in my active view/camera.
There are 13 illustrator layers, all of them are 3D Layers. I have, at various points, been able to see all of my layers when they should appear on screen, so Its not an issue of a layer getting in the way of my camera and obscuring anything (i don't think). It's not an opacity issue... It seems to be something with my illustrator files and CS5. I've even tried moving the files over to a different machine, and I've tried opening up the project on a Windows box, but the problem persists. I'm truly puzzled.
Its not the biggest issue at the moment, as long as I can get a clean playback in AE for my client this evening, but I'm scared to continue working only to find that I can't render out any of my final project to broadcast.
Anyone have any clues? I'll post updates as needed.
Thanks in advance,
Dylan

I have found the genesis of our problems. I first noticed this on a project where I was using Illustrator (CS5) artwork supplied by a designer. He was using the "Film/Video" presets to make an HD formatted AI file. I liked how handy the grids and title safeties were so I kept using the preset on other projects. Thats when I started noticing artwork disappearing. I had to purge it at multiple points in my timeline just to get a render out.
When I read richardbwallace's idea to look for the second artboard and delete it, everything clicked into place. Instantly everything came back. I have a feeling that Adobe needed to add that artboard to make something in the film and video presets to work the way they do and didn't anticipate or test for this issue.
I have not checked if other presets use the same double artboard trick, but if one of them does, I bet it will cause the same problems.
tl;dr - Video and Film presets in AI add extra artboards which cause the issue.

Selecting Layers Inside Collage

I'm having trouble selecting specific layers inside a
collage. Many of the layers overlap, so the smaller images are
harder to select, sometimes even impossible.
It'd be much easier if I could select the image from the
timeline. But I'm trying to alpha tween each of the images and
selecting the layer from the timeline doesn't give me access to the
color menu in the properties box.
Also an unrelated problem with the images which I've imported
from photoshop. The layer masks I've created for each of these
images aren't showing completely. The mask is very blotchy.

You might try unchecking Auto-Select and set to Layer instead of Group.
MTSTUNER

Illustrator layers only visible one frame

After Effects 2014.2 version 13.2.0.49
Illustrator 2014.1.1 version 18.1.1
So, I started off posting in the wrong forum (Illustrator) and with that
question, seemed to jumped that hurtle, but encountered another.
My first problem was importing an Illustrator layered image as 'Composition
- Retain layer sizes' and had to check off the sequence options as
'Illustrator/PDF/EPS Sequence' in order to keep the layers in the proper
positions (or all layers centered around individual anchor points).
Another problem I had with that was all my layers became mixed - so my
solution was to bring them into the comp in a manual order.
So, now that I have the Illustrator layers in my After Effects comp, the
layers only remain visible for one frame.
I have my comp set for a minute. I started playing with opacities and can't
get past the 'one frame visibility'.
My plans are to 'draw on' the guitar I have drawn in Illustrator, by
keyframing the layer opacities.
I have tried the Animation/Keyframe Assistant/Sequence Layers but I am
missing something.
I want to try other effects that I do not remember the specific effect name
(to draw on the guitar layers), but first I need to start with having my
layers visible for more then the one frame.
What have I missed?

Your artboard needs to include all of your artwork. That's the problem with the illustrator file you are showing.
Import as a sequence should never be checked if you are importing only one file whether it is imported as footage or a comp.
When you import as a comp you must open the comp that AE creates to keep the layers lined up.
Most people just getting started with this workflow make all three of these mistakes. The workflow is really easy. Make each object that you want to animate a separate layer, make sure all artwork fits in the your artboard and you only have one, import as a comp retaining layer sizes, then open the comp that AE creates. ALL of the layers that are in the project panel will be the size of that layer. If you are using clipping paths then the layer will be the size of the clipping mask if it extends beyond the artwork.
One last point that I failed to make. You should be creating your artwork so that it is the right size to fit in your composition at it's at rest size. In other words, if at some point in your composition you want to see the whole guitar and have it fill the screen then the strings must be thick enough to work in video. That means they must be at least 2 or 3 points wide. If you want to have the guitar fill only one quarter of the screen and your project is 1920 X 1080 then your dartboard should be set to 1920 pixels or points wide and the strings must still be at least 2 points or 2 pixels wide unless they are absolutely horizontal and vertical AND if you use thin lines or stroke values less than 3 pixels in your illustration you should have snap to pixel turned on in illustrator. Your illustration may be vector art but if there is fine detail in the illustration then it must line up with the pixel grid or it will not look good.

Illustrator layers: can i maintain my layers in photoshop?

when i bring my illustrator file into photoshop
is there a way to maintain my layers?

Yes you can maintain your Illustrator layers in Photoshop.
When you export your Illustrator as PSD file, choose in the "Photoshop Export Options" windows - Write Layers. Also check mark the option - Maximum Editability

Blank illustrator layers?

Here's a new problem I've discovered: after importing illustrator layers, then saving project, close project, re-open project...illustrator layers are blank. After clicking purge, layers show up. This only works for layers that are actively being viewed (either in layer window or comp window) So, for layers that are further down in the timeline, they remain invisible until you park on that frame and click purge. Turning off multiprocessing has no effect. Yesterday I went through 1800 frames to find the ones where the type didn't render. Unacceptable.
10.6.4
CS5 10.0.1.19
2 x quad core 16 GB ram

This might apply here, but this is a solve I found and posted to another thread.
I have found the genesis of our problems. I first noticed this on a project where I was using Illustrator (CS5) artwork supplied by a designer. He was using the "Film/Video" presets to make an HD formatted AI file. I liked how handy the grids and title safeties were so I kept using the preset on other projects. Thats when I started noticing artwork disappearing. I had to purge it at multiple points in my timeline just to get a render out.
When I read richardbwallace's idea to look for the second artboard and delete it, everything clicked into place. Instantly everything came back. I have a feeling that Adobe needed to add that artboard to make something in the film and video presets to work the way they do and didn't anticipate or test for this issue.
I have not checked if other presets use the same double artboard trick, but if one of them does, I bet it will cause the same problems.
tl;dr - Video and Film presets in AI add extra artboards which cause the issue.

How to transfering Adobe illustrator layers into a new project?

How do I drag and drop adobe illustrator layers into another separate illustrator project? I have a few dozen illustrator layers and I wanted to transfer them to another illustrator project. Any ideas? Thanks
I'm using windows 7 cs2

You have to have an object on the layer for it to transfer (at least in my experience). Open document 1. Make a new document and make sure Paste Remembers Layers is on. Select all in document 1, copy and paste in document 2. Then hit delete to clear the objects from document 1. The layer structure will be maintained with one exception. Don't have a layer named Layer 1 in the first document that is not the top or bottom layer.

Illustrator Layers are expanded when opening.

I haven't had much luck googling this, because I am not certain of the proper terminology to ask the question.
When I open a file, one or more layer are opened/expanded in the layer tab on the side of the screen. I can close the layer, make modifications, and save; but when I open it up, the layer is always opened.
It doesn't happen with every file. But on the files that do have this, it's always like this.
Any ideas? It's rathe annoying, especially with larger art files.

SOULTION WORK ARROUND HERE:
At a previous job at AARP.org, we had CS2 and went to CS4, where I first noticed this "bug."
Sometimes, we'd have a file with 10-30 web page designs in it and having to close all the Layers showinging every Sublayer drove me nuts and can take a few Annoyed minutes.
I still have this issue in CS5, and noticed it yesterday on a co-workers CS6.
So, today I decided to Google search and fonund this thread.
I've spent the last 2 hours trying to fix the issue of all Layers and Sublayers showing when opening a document and I have found a work arround.
Now, we know that Illustrator gives a unique color to items that live on seperate layers, and it also does this for Sub-layers.
It seems when you open a file with lots of layers and sub-layers, the defualt in Illustator is to show all layers.
To fix that bug they need to add a "Show/Hide Sublayers" or something.
I think they may have added "Sublayers" in CS4, and that is when this "bug" started for the users. I'm not sure.
Also, sometimes items are getting stuck inside sub-layers etc, and it becomes hard to move selected items to the front and or back using short cut commands, you have to actually go move the sub-layer. meh.
Somethings to note:
Adobe gives the user the option to "Merge Selcted Layers" but this only lets you merge layers and sub-layers that live within the same heiarchy, and you still will have lower level sub-layers, and you can't drag a sub-sub-level layer to the the sub-layer up from it.
I haven't figured out how or why all the sublayers got created, I know I never made a actual "New Sublayer"
So, if there is a process in the workflow to avoid doing that, I'll look out for it and post something in the future.
But it may have to do with working with custom symbols, pasting form layers to layers, Paste Remembers Layers being selected, copying layers, etc... I don't know.
So, here is how I cleaned up my file:
I removed all the damn sub-layers that ened up in my file somehow.
1) First make sure "Paste Remembers Layers" is NOT selcted in the Layers palette menu.
2) Select everything in a specific layer by clicking on the circle to the right of the layer name in the layers palatte or use commed-c to copy.
3) With all your content still selected, delete everything.
4) Select all the sub-layers (which are now empty), that are underneath your most top level layer.
5) Click on your top level layer, and use Shift-Command-V to Paste in Place (also found under the Edit menu).
Now, your layers will look like the used back in CS3 or CS2, you will have NO Sublayers, and after you save and re-open the document, all layers will not be open showing.
Ta-Da! This has been driving me crazy for like a year and a half. Work arround discovered.
Thought I should share.
Now, if you like using layers and naming them, then you're stuck with all layers showing upon opening a document but you can reduce what shows by going into Panel Options and checking "Show Layers Only"
This will show only your layers and sub-layers, but it can reduce you seeing all the paths and objects, etc., but when you open documents, all those layers will still be open. Got it?

Can After Effects CC handle this many Illustrator layers?

I designed a world map in Adobe Illustrator with many layers for a documentary about interwar Europe (1919-1939). The Illustrator map actually has 80 layers. Would this be a map with too many layers to animate in After Effects?
In AE I plan to add a camera to zoom in on parts of the map like Europe and the Middle East. But I'll also need to animate the opacity of individual layers to show territorial changes and invasions in Europe before and after 1919 Versailles Treaty and the 1938 Munich Agreement. The reason I have so many layers is that I thought I could use this one map in multiple different map animations for my film.
Can AE handle this many layers? Or is it wiser to keep the layers to a minimum number?
Also, is there no way in After Effects to group the layers other than pre-comping them? It would be great to be able to have sub-layers in AE like you can in Illustrator. I could then reduce the number of layers in my map from 80 to less than 20, by grouping all European states as sub-layers into a Europe layer, as so on for Africa, Asia, etc.
Unless I'm mistaken, Illustrator sub-layers are not visible in After Effects, are they?

Rick and Mylenium,
Thank you both for your feedback. Much appreciated. Mylenium, I'm sure you're right. I probably was trying to do too much in one map. I'll follow your suggestion and use the minimum number of layers for each scenario. I'm spending too much time as it is looking for particular layers among the 80.
I do wish it were possible in AE to simply group layers without pre-comping them though. Or that Illustrator sub-layers could be visible. It would really help to streamline the workflow. I suppose I could precomp all layers and then simply add a camera to the pre-comp.
Rick I'll try the expression controls and parenting, but can you elaborate a little further regarding your suggestion of pre-planning in Illustrator?
Thank you both again for your helpful suggestions.

Layers (pdf layers to illustrator layers)

I currently am using Acrobat 7.0 Professional and Illustrator CS2, the pdf has 3 layers and I'm trying to open the file in Illustrator and retain the layers, but when I open the file it converts to one layer. Do you know how to retain the layers when importing into Illustrator CS2?
Vicky

Unless the PDF was saved with Illustrator Editing Capabilities turned on, it is not possible for you to recover the layers. In Acrobat the layers are called something else (Optional Content Groups-although they correspond to AI layers) and are not readable in AI. You will probably have reconstruct the layers.

Is it possible to scale Illustrator files inside After Effects and retain the vector quality?

I imported an Illustrator file into my After Effects project and scaled the ai file to 200%, but noticed that is pixelated. Is there a way to keep the ai file vector based inside After Effects.
Note: I attempted to use the "Create Shapes from Vector Layer" and the paths all show up, but the fill and stroke colors disappear??
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I am using CS6 Creative Cloud on a Windows 8 with 16 gig of ram
Thanks,
Paul

Dave is right. See this:
FAQ: Why are my vector graphics (e.g., from Illustrator) jagged or soft?

Layers inside of Symbols

I'm watching a flash tutorial from cartoon solutions on lip
synching. In the timeline there are three layers- the head, body
and sound- and when the presenter clicks on the head graphic symbol
it opens a different contingent of layers with the component of the
head(nose, mouth, etc.). This is something that I'm trying to
duplicate but can't figure out how. I'm using FlashMX and don't
know if that was a feature added later. There don't appear to be
any folder icons in the timeline, either.

and to add to jesse's (thanks), instance names only if
using/nesting movie clips - i work with
Graphic symbols as much, if not more than MCs. Just in case
bippity is not using MCs - since he is
following along with a cartoonsmart tutorial, most likely
they are graphics symbols.
Chris Georgenes
Animator
http://www.mudbubble.com
http://www.keyframer.com
Adobe Community Expert
*\^^/*
(OO)
<---->
jesse harding wrote:
> Chris is exactly right. Just to add to what he said;
Make sure to give
> instance names to all your nested symbols (at least any
you might want
> to control like the eyes and mouth). That way you can
control them from
> the root timeline or even from inside other symbols.
>
> Jesse H.
> Adobe Community Expert
> My site:
http://www.jharding.com
> Free Blog Radio:
http://www.tornadostream.com
>
>> it's a feature in all versions and it is called
"nesting" - you can
>> simply place symbols inside symbols. each symbol can
have any number
>> of layers and frames.
>>
>> Chris Georgenes
>> Animator
>>
http://www.mudbubble.com
>>
http://www.keyframer.com
>> Adobe Community Expert
>> *\^^/*
>> (OO)
>> <---->
>> bippity wrote:
>>
>>> I'm watching a flash tutorial from cartoon
solutions on lip
>>> synching. In the timeline there are three
layers- the head, body and
>>> sound- and when the presenter clicks on the head
graphic symbol it
>>> opens a different contingent of layers with the
component of the
>>> head(nose, mouth, etc.). This is something that
I'm trying to
>>> duplicate but can't figure out how. I'm using
FlashMX and don't know
>>> if that was a feature added later.
>>>
>
>

AI (illustrator) layers not showing up in AE (after effects) CC 2014

I've just come across this issue for the first time. I've imported AI files into AE many times before and had no issues like this one.
After importing the layered AI doc into AE, only one layer will show up. Attached is a video I recorded of what happens. If you can make sense of it, please let me know. Note: I can save out eps as separate files and use those in AE no problem.
I'm working on a macbook pro retina and just did a fresh format about 2 weeks ago so everything is up to date. I've tried restarting AE and my computer. Also recreating a new AI file with different dimensions.
I blocked out the files on my computer in respect to my clients (in case you're confused).

Thanks for your reply, but unfortunately that's not it.
I've tried: having all the assets on separate layers, making sure the doc was in RGB, renaming the illustrator file, saving it back to different versions of AI, loading into a different AE file, and so on. I have a feeling it has something to do with the paint bucket tool. I've outlined/expanded my graphics just incase, so it shouldn't be.
OH HEY! I've seen a lot of your posts on creative cow as well in the last few years. You're kind of like a AE community celebrity to me haha.

Illustrator layers inside AE

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