Send an After Effects project with its footage intact
An AEP file references media rather than carrying it all inside. Collect the footage, keep the folder together, and check dependencies before delivery.
Use File > Dependencies > Collect Files to gather a project and its source media for handoff. An .aep stores references to footage; sending that file alone can leave the recipient with missing assets. Keep your original project and media until the delivered copy has been opened successfully.
In this guide
After Effects desktop on Windows or macOS, local AEP projects. Fonts, third-party effects, codecs, and licenses still need separate checks on the receiving computer.
Send a collected folder, not just the AEP
If footage is already missing on your computer, relink it first. Collection cannot recover a file you no longer have.
Choose the collection you actually need
Save your latest edits, open Collect Files, and choose the source scope:
| Collect Source Files choice | What it includes |
|---|---|
| All | Footage and proxies, including unused items |
| For All Comps | Footage and proxies used by the project's compositions |
| For Selected Comps | Media used by the compositions selected in the Project panel |
Use All when the recipient needs unused alternatives as well. Inspect those assets before sharing; an unused client image can still be included. None (Project Only) and Generate Report Only do not collect the media needed for this handoff.
If proxies are involved, inspect Obey Proxy Settings rather than assuming that full-resolution originals will be included. Adobe explains the combinations in its collection reference.
Choose Collect, give the destination folder a clear name, and let copying finish. Deliver the whole folder with its internal structure intact.
Fonts and effects need a separate check
Read the generated report for required files, effects, and fonts. A list of dependencies is not proof that the recipient has them installed or licensed. Adobe's cross-platform guidance calls out fonts, codecs, effects, and plug-ins on both systems.
Agree on the After Effects version and any third-party requirements before delivery. If fonts are unavailable, use the missing-font workflow rather than silently substituting typefaces. Include a reference render so the recipient can compare the intended appearance.
Open the copy that you are sending
On the receiving computer, open the AEP inside the delivered folder and inspect the main composition. Compare an opening frame, a frame with text or effects, and the ending against the reference render. Check warnings before accepting the handoff as complete.
Further edits in the original project do not automatically update a previously collected copy. Label the delivery clearly and collect again after a material revision. For unresolved dependency errors, use the Community link in Adobe's collection guide with the exact warning and dependency names, without sharing private media.
Sources
Based on official documentation; not independently tested. Sources checked Sep 29, 2026. How we review guides
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