Import standard media files

Import standard media files

You can import media files (video clips, audio clips, and still images) into a Motion project one at a time or severally.

Note: Although you can import iTunes and photo files via the File Browser, it’s better to add them via the iTunes and Photo categories in the Motion Library. When you add iTunes and photo files via the Library, you can browse for files using the playlist or photo album features. For more information, see Add iTunes and photo files from the Library.

Import media files into a Motion project

  1. Navigate through the File Browser to locate media files to import.

    To open a folder in the File Browser, click a folder in the upper navigation pane, then double-click a folder in the lower pane; to return to a previously viewed folder, click the left arrow button beneath the preview area, or choose a folder from the pop-up menu beneath the preview area, or press Command–Up Arrow.

  2. Select one or more files to import.

    In list view, Shift-click to select multiple contiguous files; Command-click to select multiple noncontiguous files.

  3. To stop preview playback, move the pointer over the preview area and click the Pause button; to mute preview audio, click the Play/Mute button to the right of preview thumbnail.

  4. Do any of the following:

    • Drag the file or files from the file stack to a location in the Canvas.

    • Click the Import button at the top of the File Browser to add the file or files to the center of the Canvas.

    • Drag the file or files into the empty lower area of the Layers list.

    • Drag the file or files into the empty lower area of the Timeline.

The media files appear in the Canvas and in the Layers list (as layers inside a new group at the top of the list).

Imported movie clips in the Canvas and in the Layers list

Import media files into an existing group in the Layers list

You can also import media clips and images into an existing group in the Layers list.

  1. Navigate through the File Browser and select one or more media files.

  2. To nest the media files in an existing group in the Layers list, do one of the following:

    • Drag the files on top of a group in the Layers list. The imported files appear as new layers in that group, placed above existing layers in the group.

    • Drag the files between any layers in a group. A position indicator shows where the layers will be placed when you release the mouse button.

    • Drag the files into the Timeline, placing them between any layers nested in an existing group.

      Note: For more information on adding objects to the Timeline, see Timeline overview.

Import media files without using them in the composition

You can also add media files to your project without having them appear in the composition. You do this by dragging a file into the Media list, thereby storing media objects you might want to use in the future. When you import this way, the imported media does not appear in the Canvas or in the Layers list. However, the media remains available in the Media list.

  1. In the Project pane, click Media to open the Media list.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • Drag media files from the File Browser into the Media list.

    • Click the Add button (+) in the lower-left corner of the Project pane; then, in the Import Files dialog, select a file to add and click Import.

    • With the Media list active, choose File > Import (or press Command-I); then, in the Import Files dialog, select a file to add, and click Import.

    • Control-click in the Media list, choose Import Media from the shortcut menu, then add a file via the Import Files dialog.

    To import an image sequence in the Import Files dialog, select the Image Sequence checkbox. If this checkbox is deselected, only files selected in the Import dialog are imported.

The resulting media objects are added to the Media list but don’t appear in the Canvas, Layers list, or Timeline.

Import media files using the Import command

You can also import media files without using the File Browser. To do so, use the Import command.

  1. Do any of the following:

    • Choose File > Import (or press Command-I).

    • Control-click an empty area of the Canvas (in the gray area outside the project), then choose Import from the shortcut menu.

    The Import Files dialog appears.

  2. Navigate to and select one or more media files, Shift-clicking to select contiguous items or Command-clicking to select noncontiguous items.

    If you’re selecting items from an image sequence, select the Image Sequence checkbox to have Motion use each image as a frame in a movie clip.

  3. Click Import.

The media files appear in the Canvas, and as layers inside new groups at the top of the Layers list.

Note: When you import multiple files using the Import command, each media file is placed in a separate new group in your Motion project. However, when you import multiple files via the File Browser, the files are placed in a single new group in your Motion project.

Import media files and create a new Motion project at the same time

You can also create a new project for files at the time of import. To do so, use the Import as Project command.

  1. Choose File > Import as Project or press Shift-Command-I.

    The Import Files as Project dialog appears.

  2. Navigate to and select the one or more media files, Shift-clicking to select contiguous items or Command-clicking to select noncontiguous items.

  3. If needed, set the frame rate, aspect ratio, field order, and audio mix settings.

    If you’re selecting items from an image sequence, select the Image Sequence checkbox to have Motion use each image as a frame in a movie clip.

  4. Click Import as Project.

The media files appear in a new Motion project.