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Import SVG files

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    2. What's new in After Effects 
    3. Release Notes | After Effects
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    6. Supported File formats | After Effects
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    4. View detailed performance information with the Composition Profiler
    5. CINEMA 4D Composition Renderer
  6. Importing footage
    1. Preparing and importing still images
    2. Importing from After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro
    3. Importing and interpreting video and audio
    4. Preparing and importing 3D image files
    5. Importing and interpreting footage items
    6. Import SVG files
    7. Working with footage items
    8. Detect edit points using Scene Edit Detection
    9. XMP metadata
  7. Text and Graphics
    1. Text
      1. Formatting characters and the Character panel
      2. Text effects
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      4. Formatting paragraphs and the Paragraph panel
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      7. Examples and resources for text animation
      8. Live Text Templates
    2. Motion Graphics
      1. Work with Motion Graphics templates in After Effects
      2. Use expressions to create drop-down lists in Motion Graphics templates
      3. Work with Essential Properties to create Motion Graphics templates
      4. Replace images and videos in Motion Graphics templates and Essential Properties
      5. Animate faster and easier using the Properties panel
  8. Drawing, Painting, and Paths
    1. Overview of shape layers, paths, and vector graphics
    2. Paint tools: Brush, Clone Stamp, and Eraser
    3. Taper shape strokes
    4. Shape attributes, paint operations, and path operations for shape layers
    5. Use Offset Paths shape effect to alter shapes
    6. Creating shapes
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    8. Remove objects from your videos with the Content-Aware Fill panel
    9. Roto Brush and Refine Matte
    10. Create Nulls for Positional Properties and Paths
  9. Layers, Markers, and Camera
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  14. Expressions and Automation
    1. Expressions
      1. Expression basics
      2. Understanding the expression language
      3. Using expression controls
      4. Syntax differences between the JavaScript and Legacy ExtendScript expression engines
      5. Editing expressions
      6. Expression errors
      7. Using the Expressions editor
      8. Use expressions to edit and access text properties
      9. Expression language reference
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    2. Automation
      1. Automation
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  15. Immersive video, VR, and 3D
    1. Construct VR environments in After Effects
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    6. Import 3D models from Creative Cloud Libraries
    7. Create parametric meshes
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    18. Apply Substance 3D materials
    19. Work in 3D Design Space
    20. 3D Transform Gizmos
    21. Do more with 3D animation
    22. Preview changes to 3D designs real time with the Mercury 3D engine
    23. Add responsive design to your graphics 
  16. Views and Previews
    1. Previewing
    2. Video preview with Mercury Transmit
    3. Modifying and using views
    4. Lossless Compressed Playback
  17. Rendering and Exporting
    1. Basics of rendering and exporting
    2. H.264 Encoding in After Effects
    3. Export an After Effects project as an Adobe Premiere Pro project
    4. Converting movies
    5. Multi-frame rendering
    6. Automated rendering and network rendering
    7. Rendering and exporting still images and still-image sequences
    8. Using the GoPro CineForm codec in After Effects
  18. Working with other applications
    1. Dynamic Link and After Effects
    2. Working with After Effects and other applications
      1. Export After Effects project as Premiere Pro project
    3. Sync Settings in After Effects
    4. Creative Cloud Libraries in After Effects
    5. Plug-ins
    6. Cinema 4D and Cineware
  19. Collaboration: Frame.io, and Team Projects
    1. Collaboration in Premiere Pro and After Effects
    2. Frame.io
      1. Install and activate Frame.io
      2. Use Frame.io with Premiere Pro and After Effects
      3. Frequently asked questions
    3. Team Projects
      1. Get Started with Team Projects
      2. Create a Team Project
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  20. Memory, storage, performance
    1. Memory and storage
    2. How After Effects handles low memory issues while previewing    
    3. Improve performance
    4. Preferences
    5. GPU and GPU driver requirements for After Effects
  21. Knowledge Base
    1. Known issues
    2. Fixed issues
    3. Frequently asked questions
    4. After Effects and macOS Ventura
    5. How After Effects handles low memory issues while previewing

Learn how to import SVG files as native, editable shape layers that are ready to animate with no conversion required.

  Use new beta features

SVG file import is now available for testing and feedback. Try it now in After Effects (beta).

Get started

In the latest After Effects (beta), you can import SVG (.svg) files into the composition. Every element in these files, such as paths, fills, strokes, and groups, is converted into native shape layers, which are fully editable and work just like any shape you create directly in the app. Even the gradient fills and transparency are preserved and fully editable. You can then animate their properties and also apply visual effects.

  1. Double-click inside the Project panel or use File > Import > File to browse and import the SVG file.

  2. Drag and drop the imported SVG file into the Timeline panel.

  3. Select the layer to use the Layer Contents section in the Properties panel to view the SVG’s structure.

    The Properties panel is open and under the Layer Contents, the SVG contents are listed.
    Use the Properties panel to view the SVG file contents and adjust their properties.

    You can also select the arrow next to the layer to untwirl it, then expand the Contents section. You’ll see all the individual elements and their properties, such as Path, Fill, and Transform.

    The layer with the SVG file is selected, and the Contents section is expanded to display its properties, including Path, Fill, and Transform.
    Expand the Contents section of the SVG layer to access and edit its properties, including Path, Fill, and Transform.

  4. You can use these properties to animate just like any other shape layer. For example:

    • Animate the Path to create morphing effects
    • Change fill color over time for dynamic transitions
    • Use Transform properties to scale, rotate, or move elements independently

  5. If the layers have gradient fills and strokes, you can use the Scale and Rotation properties to animate the gradient.

    One of the layers with a gradient element is selected, and Gradient Fill 1 is highlighted.
    Use the Gradient Fill properties to adjust the gradient or animate them.

Known limitations

  • Because SVGs import directly as shapes, there is no reference to the original SVG in the Project panel, and Collect Files will not include the SVG source. 
  • SVG Text will not be imported. This means you’ll need to convert text to curves.
  • Animated and raster SVGs are not supported.
  • SVG compositions currently import with a 1-frame duration.

Be part of the discussion on support for SVG file import in the After Effects beta community.

Additional resources

Help us to make the next releases of After Effects our best yet.
Submit feature requests, view, track, and vote for issues/feature requests using the After Effects beta support community.

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