How to Import Footage into Adobe After Effects

Importing footage into Adobe After Effects is the foundational first step of any motion graphics or visual effects project. This guide covers the fastest and most efficient methods to bring video files, audio tracks, still images, and image sequences into your After Effects Project panel using menu commands, keyboard shortcuts, and drag-and-drop workflows.

Method 1: The Project Panel Shortcut (Fastest)

  1. Open your project in Adobe After Effects.
  2. Locate the Project Panel (usually on the top left of the default workspace).
  3. Double-click anywhere inside the empty space of the Project panel.
  4. In the file browser window that appears, navigate to your media files.
  5. Select the file(s) you wish to use and click Open (Windows) or Import (Mac).

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Windows: Press Ctrl + I
  • macOS: Press Cmd + I

To import multiple individual files or folders at once, use:

  • Windows: Press Ctrl + Alt + I
  • macOS: Press Cmd + Option + I

After pressing the shortcut, select your files in the dialogue window and click Import.

Method 3: The Top Menu

  1. Click on File in the top menu bar.
  2. Hover over Import.
  3. Select File... to choose one or more individual assets, or select Multiple Files... to keep the import dialogue open for importing assets from different directories.
  4. Select your assets and click Import.

Method 4: Drag and Drop

  1. Open your operating system's file browser (File Explorer on Windows or Finder on macOS).
  2. Locate the footage files on your drive.
  3. Click and drag the files directly into the Project Panel inside After Effects.
  4. Release the mouse button to complete the import.

Importing Image Sequences

To import a sequence of numbered still images (such as PNG, EXR, or JPEG sequences) as a single video clip:

  1. Press Ctrl + I (Windows) or Cmd + I (macOS).
  2. Click on the first image in the numbered sequence.
  3. Check the box at the bottom of the import window labeled [Format] Sequence (for example, PNG Sequence or OpenEXR Sequence).
  4. Click Import. After Effects will automatically combine the numbered stills into a single continuous footage item.