Importing a PNG sequence into your editor
Put the exported PNG sequence on a track above the original video. Two things matter: import it as one clip (a sequence), not as separate images, and set its fps to match the original.
Please read first. The menu names and steps below summarize the known workflow; they weren't checked by opening each program. Names and locations can differ by program version, operating system (Windows/macOS) and interface language. If you can't find a menu, search for its name. Let us know about anything wrong and we'll fix it.
General steps
- If you downloaded a ZIP, unzip it first. All files should be in one folder, starting from
doodle_000001.pngwith none missing. - In your editor, select the first file and turn on the 'import as image sequence' option.
- Change the imported clip's fps to match the original video (see each program below).
- Place it on the track above the original clip, at the same start position. The lengths should match. If you worked on a segment of a longer video, place it at the 'starts at N seconds of the original' position written in README.txt.
The background is transparent (alpha channel), using standard 'straight' alpha. If you see dark fringes around the edges, the alpha is being interpreted as 'premultiplied'; switch it to straight.
Adobe Premiere Pro
- In , select only
doodle_000001.png. - Check at the bottom of the dialog (on macOS, inside the button), then import.
- Right-click the clip in the Project panel > > enter the original fps in .
- If the same dialog has an alpha channel section, make sure 'Ignore Alpha Channel' is off.
If you do this often, set to your original fps so you don't have to fix it every time.
DaVinci Resolve
- On the page, open the folder with the PNGs. If the files show as separate images instead of one grouped clip, switch the Media Storage menu to .
- Drag the grouped clip into the Media Pool.
- Right-click the clip > > set Video Frame Rate to the original fps.
- On the Edit page, place it on the track above the original (V2). If it doesn't look transparent, set the alpha mode to 'Straight' in the same Clip Attributes.
Image sequences often default to the timeline frame rate in your project settings. If you created the project at the original fps, step 3 is just a check.
Adobe After Effects
- In , select the first PNG and check .
- If asked about alpha, choose .
- Right-click the footage > > enter the original fps in .
You can change the default in .
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro often imports PNGs as individual still images, so bringing in the sequence directly is awkward. There are two ways around it.
- Wrap it with Compressor: add the image sequence in Compressor, match the frame rate to the original, export as Apple ProRes 4444 (which supports alpha), and import that video.
- Use the composited mp4: if you won't do much color grading, swapping in this site's composited mp4 for the original clip is simpler.
CapCut
As far as we know, CapCut (desktop and mobile) can't import an image sequence as one clip. We recommend exporting a composited mp4 and using it in place of the original.
If things don't line up
| Symptom | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Doodles drift later or earlier over time | The fps differs. Set the clip fps to match the original. → Matching fps |
| Clip length differs from the original | Same as above. Or check the file count in case some PNGs are missing |
| Background shows black | Alpha is being ignored. Turn alpha on / set it to straight |
| Dark fringes around edges | Alpha is interpreted as premultiplied. Set it to straight |
| White doodles too bright or gray | HDR timeline. → When colors look off |
| Position is slightly off | If you scaled or cropped the original clip, apply exactly the same to the PNG clip |