Replacing media in timeline with Photoshop layer...

Question

Replacing media in timeline with Photoshop layer...

In AE, I can option drag & drop an element into a keyframed clip in the timeline and all attributes & clip length are maintained. In Motion, there doesn't seem to be a way to do this. In the media tab, the layer shows up as a comp of all layers in the psd file, not the one I imported. I would just like to use the same animation with different media rather than recreate it with every new object I add to the timeline. Anyone find this shortcut ????

PowerMac G5 2.7, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Dec 30, 2005 7:27 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 30, 2005 11:06 AM in response to David Sonatore

What?

You can either have your imported PSD show up as a merged clip or as separate layers. What are you trying to do? Replace what? With what?

Clarity please,

Patrick

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Answer 2

Dec 30, 2005 11:55 AM in response to David Sonatore

Apologies for the confusion...

When I use the import function from the File>import menu it allows me to import an indivdual layer, but it appears as a merge under the media tab. So when I attempt to copy a keyframed layer to reproduce the same animation with different media, the exchange results in the merged file as the replacement rather than the individual layer. I've tried this twenty different ways, no luck. In short, I would like to take a layer with keyframed animation and duplicate it as a new layer and relplace it with new media i.e. individual photoshop layers. This is a basic funtion in AE. Sorry if this still isn't clear...

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Answer 3

Dec 30, 2005 12:46 PM in response to David Sonatore

You can replace object by simply dragging from the File Browser to the Layers tab of the Project pane - drag over the object you want to replace, wait for the hooked arrow, and release the mouse. All keyframes, filters, behaviors, etc. applied to the original object will remain on the new object.
Mark

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Answer 4

Dec 31, 2005 5:20 AM in response to David Sonatore

hey Mark,
I think you're on to the step I must be missing. When I import a single layer from a multi-layered photoshop file, it gets placed directly into my timeline as a layer--it doesn't appear in my file browser. If I navigate to the photshop file using the file browser, only the merged file appears...there doesn't seem to to be a way to isolate the single layer unless you import from the File>Import menu. It's been tough making the transition from after effects to motion without hanging on to the old habits, so I'm sure this is where I'm screwing up. Thanks for any help...

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Answer 5

Dec 31, 2005 11:12 AM in response to David Sonatore

If you use the file browser, you can drag your PSD file over to your canvas (or, I believe to a layer) and hold it and you'll get a context menu asking how you want to bring it in...

Patrick

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