Import layered Photoshop files

Import layered Photoshop files

You can also import layered Photoshop files. Many motion graphics professionals create layouts in Photoshop, then import the resulting multilayered file into Motion, where the layers are animated and combined with other imported and Motion-generated objects.

There are several ways to import layered Photoshop files:

  • With all Photoshop layers merged together as a single Motion layer

  • With each Photoshop layer preserved as a separate Motion layer, nested in a new group

  • By choosing a single Photoshop layer

When you import all Photoshop layers as individual Motion layers, Motion places them in a new group in the Layers list and Timeline. Each layer retains the position, opacity, and blend mode of its corresponding original Photoshop layer.

Although you can import Photoshop text layers, the text appears in Motion as noneditable bitmap graphics.

The following Photoshop effects are not imported into Motion:

  • Layer effects

  • Layer masks

  • Adjustment layers

  • Paths

  • Shapes

Import a layered Photoshop file using the drop menu

  1. Drag a layered Photoshop file from the File Browser into the Canvas, Layers list, or Timeline.

  2. Before releasing the mouse button, pause until the Canvas drop menu appears and the pointer becomes curved.

    This menu presents commands for importing the layered file.

  3. Continuing to hold down the mouse button, choose a command from the drop menu, then release the mouse button:

    • Import Merged Layers: All layers of the Photoshop file are collapsed into a single Motion layer.

    • Import All Layers: A group is created, and each layer of the Photoshop file is preserved as a separate Motion layer in this new group.

    • [Individual layers]: Each layer in the Photoshop file appears as a separate item in the drop menu. Selecting a layer adds only that layer to the project, where it appears as a single Motion layer.

Note: When a Photoshop file contains more layers than can be displayed in the drop menu, the Choose Layer option appears in the drop menu. After you click the Choose Layer option, the Pick Layer to Import dialog appears.

Add a layered Photoshop file using the Import command

  1. Choose File > Import.

  2. Select the layered Photoshop file to import, then click Import.

    The Pick Layer to Import dialog appears.

  3. Choose a command from the Layer Name pop-up menu:

    • Merged Layers: All layers of the Photoshop file are collapsed into a single Motion layer.

    • All Layers: A group is created, and each layer of the Photoshop file is preserved as a separate Motion layer in this group.

    • [Individual layers]: Each layer in the Photoshop file appears as a separate item in the drop menu. Selecting a layer adds only that layer to the project, where it appears as a single Motion layer.

    If you don’t like the layer you chose, you can pick a different one from the Photoshop file without deleting or importing again. You do so by selecting the recently imported Photoshop layer, then choosing a different Photoshop layer from the Layer pop-up menu in the Properties Inspector.