Replace clips with a dynamically linked After Effects composition

Last updated on Apr 2, 2026

Learn to use Dynamic Link to convert selected clips into an editable After Effects composition in Adobe Premiere.

When you need advanced visual effects or motion graphics capabilities, you can replace selected clips with a dynamically linked After Effects composition.

The composition inherits your sequence settings (dimensions, pixel aspect ratio, frame rate, and audio sample rate) and maintains a dynamic link. To import existing After Effects compositions, select File > Adobe Dynamic Link > Import After Effects Composition.

Dynamic Link eliminates the need to render intermediate files between applications. After Effects launches automatically if not already running, and creates a new project file that you'll need to save. The original clips remain in your Project panel while the linked composition replaces them in the sequence.

Replace sequence clips with a linked composition

Select the clips in your sequence that you want to include in the After Effects composition.

Right-click any of the selected clips in the Timeline panel.

Select Replace With After Effects Composition from the context menu.

If After Effects prompts you with a Save As dialog box, enter a name and location for the new After Effects project file and select Save.

After Effects creates a composition containing your selected clips, and Premiere replaces those clips in the sequence with the dynamically linked composition. The composition appears in your Project panel. Any changes you make to the composition in After Effects update automatically in Premiere without rendering.