Image Handling Best Practices
Images in After Effects animations require special consideration when exporting to Lottie format.
Embedding vs. Linking
Embedded Images: The plugin can embed images directly into the JSON file as base64-encoded data. This increases file size significantly but ensures the image is always available.
External Assets: Images can be exported as separate files and referenced in the JSON. This keeps the file size smaller but requires managing multiple files.
Recommendation: For small icons or simple graphics, embed images. For larger images or when file size is critical, use external assets.
Image Format Considerations
PNG: Best for images with transparency. Fully supported.
JPEG: Good for photographic content without transparency. Smaller file sizes.
Avoid: PSD files, layered images, and sequences should be pre-rendered or converted to single-frame images.
Optimizing Images
- Resize images to the exact dimensions needed in your composition
- Compress images before importing into After Effects
- Use vector shapes instead of raster images when possible
- Avoid scaling up small images, which increases file size without improving quality
Image Sequences and Video
Not Supported: Video files and image sequences cannot be exported to Lottie format.
Workaround: Replace video with still images, or recreate the effect using animated shape layers if possible.