Import layered Photoshop files in Motion

You can import layered Photoshop files into your Motion project. 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
By choosing a single Photoshop layer
With each Photoshop layer preserved as a separate Motion layer, nested in a new group
Note: Individual layers are only preserved with imported 8-bit layered Photoshop files.

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

Tip: When creating Photoshop files for use in Motion, be aware of the pixel aspect ratio you’re using and whether your project requires you to work with square or nonsquare pixels. Additionally, if you plan to pan and zoom in or out of an imported graphic (such as a scanned map or photograph), use a high-resolution image that’s scaled to match (or exceed) the frame size of a sequence.

Import a layered Photoshop file into Motion using the drop menu

Do one of the following:
- From the macOS Finder, drag a layered Photoshop file into the canvas, Layers list, or Timeline layers list.
- In the Motion toolbar, click Import (or choose File > Import), then drag a layered Photoshop file from the dialog into the canvas, Layers list, or Timeline layers list.
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.
Continuing to press and hold 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

In the Motion toolbar, click Import (or choose File > Import).
In the dialog that appears, select the layered Photoshop file to import, then click Import.
The Pick Layer to Import dialog appears.
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.

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Motion User Guide

Import layered Photoshop files in Motion

Import a layered Photoshop file into Motion using the drop menu

Add a layered Photoshop file using the Import command