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How To Import an Image Sequence into Premiere Pro 2024

James Hogan
James Hogan Originally published Aug 15, 24, updated Sep 04, 24

Are you a filmmaker, a professional video editor, or someone who does video editing as a pastime? If yes, then you must be aware that image sequences are the key elements in video making.

Whether you're using a time-lapse, scanned film, or a 3D render, importing these still images into Adobe Premiere Pro as a sequence lets you edit them as a video clip. This means you can add effects, transitions, and audio, turning static images into an engaging story.

In this comprehensive guide, we will take a closer look at how to import image sequence Premiere Pro.

But first…

In this article
    1. How to Adjust the Frame Rate of Image Sequence Premiere Pro?
    2. Additional Tips For Importing Image Sequence to Video Premiere Pro
    1. Create a Clear Folder Structure
    2. Naming the Files
    3. Project Panel Organization
    4. Metadata Management
    1. Fail to Import Images in Order in a Sequence on Premiere Pro
    2. Import Image Sequence Option is Greyed Out
    1. Key Features of Filmora
    2. How to Import Image Sequences in Filmora
    3. Additional Tips

Why Import Image Sequence Premiere Pro?

To make a video, of course!

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You see, image sequences are basically a series of still images that are numbered in order, and they're often created from things like video footage. When you import these sequences into Adobe Premiere Pro, you can edit them just like a regular video clip. We’re talking about adding effects, transitions, and audio to really fine-tune your visual story.

What Are Image Sequence in Premiere Pro Used For?

Adobe Premiere image sequence are used in various video production processes, including:

  • Time-lapse Photography: Capturing long events in a condensed timeframe.
  • Stop-motion Animation: Creating frame-by-frame animations.
  • Visual effects (VFX): Incorporating special effects into footage.
  • Film Scanning: Digitizing physical film into a digital format.
  • High-quality Video Editing: Providing maximum image quality and flexibility.

Now that you know what an image sequence is, let’s get to the main part…

How to Import Image Sequence to Video Premiere Pro?

Importing Premiere Pro image sequence is a great way to work with frames as a video. It's really useful for making animations, time lapses, or any other kind of frame-by-frame content.

In this section, we will take you through the steps for Adobe Premiere Pro import image sequence:

Step 1. The first and most important step in this process is to name your images in a numbered sequence.

rename your images in a numbered sequence

Step 2. Now, launch Adobe Premiere Pro, and in the “Project” panel, right-click and select the “Import” option.

Alternatively, you can also click “File > Import” to import image sequence Premiere Pro.

right-click in project panel and select import on adobe premiere pro

Step 3. In the folder where all your images are saved, select the first image, then check the “Image Sequence” box at the bottom, and click “Open.” This will enable Adobe Premiere to open the images with the same name in order.

click image sequence after selecting the first image

Step 4. Lastly, right-click on the Adobe Premiere image sequence and select “New Sequence from Clip” to edit it.

right click and select new sequence from clip to edit the animation

And that’s how you can easily import image sequence in Premiere Pro.

But it doesn’t end here! To make your video as smooth as possible, you must adjust the frame rate of all the image files.

How To Adjust the Frame Rate of Image Sequence Premiere Pro?

To match sequence settings Premiere Pro, the frame rate of the image sequence should be the same. Below, you will find the simple steps on how to do so:

Step 1. Once you have imported all the image sequence files into Adobe Premiere Pro, right-click on the file and select “Modify > Interpret Footage.”

right click on image sequence file and select interpret footage from modify

Step 2. Click on “Assume this Frame Rate,” enter your desired frame rate, and click “Ok.”

click assume frame enter and enter the desired frame rate

This will adjust the frame rate of all the image sequence in Premiere Pro.

Additional Tips For Importing Image Sequence to Video Premiere Pro

Before you import image sequence Premiere Pro, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

  • Ensure that your image files are named in a numbered sequence and are of the same size and format.
  • You can adjust the frame rate of the Adobe Premiere Pro image sequence in the Interpret Footage settings and set the desired frame rate for it.
  • The image sequence will appear as a single clip in your timeline that you can edit like any other video clip.

Best Methods to Organize Imported Image Sequences in Premiere Pro

Once you've imported your image sequence into Premiere Pro, you must organize them for efficient workflow. Here are some ways in which you can organize imported file sequences in Premiere Pro:

1. Create a Clear Folder Structure

Create a specific folder for your image sequences to keep your project organized. If you have multiple sequences, consider using subfolders based on the project or type.

2. Naming the Files

Ensure your image files are named in a numbered sequence. For more clarity, use descriptive names for the sequence itself.

3. Project Panel Organization

Create bins in your project panel to categorize imported sequences based on project or type. We also recommend using consistent naming for bins and sequences to easily identify them.

4. Metadata Management

Include relevant information like project name, date, camera settings, or keywords for easy search and filtering.

By following these organizing methods, you can easily maintain a well-organized project, making finding, managing, and editing your image sequences easier.

Troubleshoot Common Import Errors of Adobe Premiere Image Sequence to Video

During the Premiere video from image sequence import, many users face issues like failing to import the image sequence or having a greyed-out import option. Below we have discussed the possible reasons and solutions for these issues.

1. Fail to Import Images in Order in a Sequence on Premiere Pro

If you’re importing image sequence to video Premiere Pro and they’re appearing in a random sequence, it could be due to several reasons:

  • Incorrect File Naming

The most common reason why your images aren’t importing in a sequence is that the files aren't named in a numbered sequence. Additionally, if the Image name contains special characters or spaces, it can also cause them to appear randomly.

Solution: Ensure the files are named sequentially with a consistent pattern and use simple names without special characters.

  • Missing Files or Gaps in Sequence

The next possible reason could be that some of the files are missing from the sequence or there’s a gap in the numbering.

Solution: Check for missing files in the sequence and rename the files to fill gaps if necessary.

  • Image Format Compatibility

There’s also a possibility that Premiere Pro might not support the image format or the image files are corrupted.

Solution: Convert images to a supported format like JPEG, PNG, or TIFF. Then, use image viewing software to check for image corruption.

  • Import Settings

It could be that the "Image Sequence" option is not checked during import. Also, an incorrect frame rate or duration settings can cause the image to appear in random order.

Solution: Make sure the “Image Sequence” option is checked, and the frame rate and duration settings for all image files match each other.

  • Premiere Pro Bug or Glitch

If everything else seems fine, there could be a bug or glitch in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Solution: Update Adobe Premiere Pro

2. Import Image Sequence Option is Greyed Out

If you’re trying to import image sequence Premiere Pro, but the “Import Image Sequence” option is greyed out, it could be due to:

  • File Format Not Compatible with Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro supports only PNG, JPG, TIFF, and EXR formats. If the image is saved in another format, you might not be able to check the “Import Image Sequence” option.

Solution: Save the image sequence files in the supported formats.

  • Project Settings

Sometimes, the project settings do not match with the image files. This includes the frame rate, resolution, etc.

Solution: You can create a new project with the same settings as the image sequence files.

Alternative to Importing Image Sequence to Video Premiere Pro - Filmora

Even though Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the best video editors, it is usually for professionals or people who are willing to invest in a paid tool. However, if you’re looking for a video editor that can get the job done at a reasonable price, we recommend going for Wondershare Filmora.

It is a popular video editing software known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, making it easy to use for both beginners and experienced editors. While Filmora is primarily designed for video editing, it also offers robust capabilities for handling image sequences.

Wondershare Filmora
Easily convert a folder of sequentially numbered image files (e.g. JPG or JPEG) into a video clip, enabling the creation of animations, time-lapses, and visual effects with high quality and customizable frame rates.
filmora boxfilmora logo square

Key Features of Image Sequence to Video Conversion in Filmora

  • Direct Import: Filmora enables you to import image sequences directly into your project timeline, putting aside the need for complex conversion processes.
  • Image Format Support: It supports a variety of image formats, ensuring compatibility with different types of image sequences.
  • Speed Control: You can easily adjust the playback speed of your image sequence to create time-lapses or slow-motion effects.
  • Export Options: And finally, you can export your final video in multiple formats (e.g. MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.) and resolutions to suit your needs.

How To Import Image Sequences in Filmora

Here’s a complete guide on how to import JPG image sequences in Filmora:

Step 1. Download Filmora by clicking the buttons below and install Filmora on your computer, and select “New Project” from the interface.

click on new project in filmora
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Step 2. Click on “File > Import Media > Import a File Folder” to import the image sequence files. This option allows you to import all the image files at once.

select the import a file folder to add image sequences

Once you have imported all the image sequence files, drag them to the timeline to start editing.

Additional Tips

  • You can directly import image sequence files by clicking on the “Import” option on the interface.
  • You can use the “Ctrl + Click” option to select multiple files.
  • You can move around the image files on the timeline to adjust their sequence by dragging and dropping them.

Comparison Table for Adobe Premiere Pro and Filmora

Adobe Premiere Pro Wondershare Filmora
Direct Import Yes Yes
Supported Image Formats RAW, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, EXR JPEG, JPG
Automatic Sequence Detection Yes Yes
Frame Rate Control Precise Control Basic Control
Advanced Features for Editing Extensive tools for keyframing, masking, color correction, and effects Limited advanced editing features compared to Premiere Pro
Performance Optimized for handling large image sequences and complex projects Suitable for smaller to medium-sized image sequence projects
Target Audience Professional video editors and filmmakers Beginners and hobbyists

Conclusion

Whether you want to create a time-lapse video or stop-motion animation, importing image sequence files is the answer! In this guide, we have discussed the steps to import image sequence Premiere Pro and how to organize them. We have also thrown in some tips to resolve common import issues.

However, for a more user-friendly and affordable option, we recommend using video editor of Filmora. You’ll find its details and step-by-step guide in the article as well.

So, create your animations without any hassle with Premiere Pro and Filmora!

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James Hogan
James Hogan Sep 04, 24
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