How to Add Footage With Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a complicated animation and compositing program that can't be easily learned in a few steps. The best way to learn the program is to start simply, learn the basics and build from there. After you create a composition and choose settings for it, you will need to add footage to your project to begin working.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Go to the "File Menu" at the top of your workspace. Then go to "File" and "Import File." Here you will need to search for your video or animation footage. Select it with your mouse and click "OK."

2. When your files are imported, they will appear as a list in your Project Panel. Each file that you imported will appear with its name and file extension to the right of the footage type icon. Your Composition will also appear in the Project Panel, either under the name you gave it or “Comp 1” if you did not name it.

3. You can also add footage to your Project using Windows Explorer. For example, if your files are saved in “My Documents,” you can locate your file there--click on it with your mouse, then drag it directly to the Project Panel.

4. You can add all types of graphics to After Effects, including video, still images and animation.

Tips & Warnings

• To open multiple files at once, hold down the “Ctrl” key while selecting with your mouse, and then click "Open."
• To import an entire file at once, select the folder and click “Import Folder.”