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What File Types are Accepted by Pencil for Import?

Written by Michael Whyle

Accepted file types and specifications for the Pencil platform

The Pencil platform supports a variety of file types for creative content, including images, videos, design files, 3D models, fonts, music, brand documents, presentations and spreadsheets. Please adhere to the specifications below to ensure smooth uploads and optimal functionality.

All uploaded files of any type, with the exception of some Brand Library items and briefs, live in the Files Library.

1. Images (JPG, PNG, JPEG, WEBP, TIFF)

  • File format: JPG, PNG, JPEG, WEBP, TIFF.

  • Maximum file size: up to 100 MB for JPG, PNG, JPEG and WEBP. TIFF is accepted up to 2 GB, which suits high-resolution print files.

  • Maximum resolution: 25,000 pixels on the longest side. Images larger than 16,000 pixels are automatically downscaled before processing.

  • Aspect ratio: any aspect ratio is accepted.

  • Colour modes supported: RGB, RGBA (transparency preserved), grayscale, palette and CMYK. CMYK images, which are typical print files, are converted to sRGB automatically on ingest.

The following are not supported:

  • HEIC / HEIF, the default iPhone photo format. Convert to JPG or PNG on your device first.

  • RAW formats (.cr2, .nef, .dng, .arw and similar). Export to JPG or PNG from your camera software.

  • AVIF and JPEG-XL.

  • SVG for rasterisation. The Brand Library accepts the .svg extension, but it cannot be processed as an image asset.

  • Animated GIF, PNG and WEBP. These upload, but only the first frame is kept, so animation is lost.

  • Multi-page TIFF. Only the first page is kept.

Notes: ideal for static images, photography and logos, with TIFF best kept for print work. EXIF rotation metadata is not honoured by the asset processor, so if your phone photo appears sideways, re-save it with the orientation baked in before uploading.

2. Video (MP4, MOV, MPG, MPEG, AVI, WebM, WMV, MP2)

  • File format: MP4, MOV, MPG, MPEG, AVI, WebM, WMV, MP2.

  • Duration: recommended minimum of five seconds, maximum of 10 minutes. Longer videos will upload, but processing time grows with duration.

  • Maximum file size: 500 MB in the Asset Library and workflow editor. 300 MB on Brief mode reference material and Agent chat attachments.

  • Resolution: 1080p (1920 × 1080 pixels) recommended. 4K and higher sources are accepted and downscaled on output.

  • Aspect ratio: any aspect ratio is accepted.

  • Supported video codecs: H.264 (Baseline, Main, High and High 10 profiles), H.265 / HEVC (Main, Main 10), VP8, VP9, AV1, Apple ProRes (422, 422 HQ, 422 LT, 4444, 4444 XQ), DNxHD / DNxHR, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Part 2, VC-1 / WMV3.

  • Supported audio codecs inside the video: AAC, MP3, Opus, Vorbis, AC-3, FLAC, PCM, WMA.

  • Bit depth: 8-bit and 10-bit sources are accepted.

  • HDR (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision): decoded, then re-encoded as SDR on output.

  • Alpha channel (transparency): preserved only when the source file is .mov or .webm. The same ProRes 4444 footage re-wrapped into .mp4 will lose its alpha channel.

  • Output frame rate: all videos are re-encoded for delivery at 30 fps. Higher source frame rates, such as 60 fps gaming clips, are reduced.

  • What Pencil produces: each upload is transcoded to MP4 (H.264 + AAC) at 1 Mbps (proxy) and 10 Mbps (high quality), plus WebM (VP9 + Opus) at 1 Mbps for streaming.

Notes: ideal for animations, UGC videos and promotional videos. Compress files for quality and size optimisation. For example, an iPhone 4K HEVC .mov works and is transcoded to H.264 1080p, and Apple ProRes 4444 .mov with transparency works, while MKV (.mkv) files are rejected at upload because the extension is not on the allowlist.

3. Photoshop files (PSD)

  • File format: PSD (Photoshop Document) as .Pencil files. See integrate Photoshop.

  • Layers: retain layers for full editability.

  • Resolution and aspect ratio: recommended 2000 px maximum resolution; any aspect ratio.

  • Notes: organise and label layers for efficient team collaboration.

4. Fonts (TTF and OTF)

  • File formats: TTF (TrueType Font), OTF (OpenType Font).

  • Maximum file size: 100 MB.

  • Notes: ensure fonts are commercially licensed and compatible with the platform for consistent branding.

5. Audio (MP3 and others in Agent chat)

  • File format: the Brand Library and Editor music accept MP3. Agent chat attachments and the workflow editor accept MP3, WAV, M4A, OGG and FLAC.

  • Maximum file size: 100 MB.

  • Maximum duration: 60 minutes.

  • Notes: use for background music or sound effects in video assets. Ensure appropriate music licensing.

6. Brand documents, presentations and spreadsheets (PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, CSV)

  • File formats: PDF (Portable Document Format), DOC and DOCX (Word documents), PPT and PPTX (PowerPoint presentations), XLS and XLSX (Excel spreadsheets), CSV (comma-separated values). TXT is additionally accepted in Agent chat attachments.

  • Maximum file size: 300 MB.

Where each format can be used:

  • PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT and PPTX can be uploaded into the Brand Library as brand guidelines or reference documents, or attached as context when working with an agent.

  • PDF and DOCX can be uploaded as a brief in Brief mode. Brief mode does not accept legacy .doc, .ppt or .pptx.

  • XLS and XLSX can be imported as a sheet in the Sheets editor, or uploaded as a brief in Brief mode.

  • CSV can be imported as a sheet in the Sheets editor, or attached to an Agent.

  • TXT is accepted only as an Agent chat attachment.

The following are not accepted:

  • Macro-enabled Office files (.docm, .pptm, .xlsm).

  • Apple iWork files (.pages, .numbers, .keynote). Export to Office or PDF first.

  • OpenDocument files (.odt, .ods, .odp).

  • Rich Text Format (.rtf) on most surfaces.

  • Encrypted or password-protected PDFs. These may upload, but parsing will fail with a generic error, so unlock the PDF before uploading.

Notes: PDFs, Word and PowerPoint files are parsed via LlamaParse, a third-party cloud service that extracts text and layout. If the service is temporarily unavailable, uploads may fail to parse and you will see a generic "An error occurred while attempting to parsing the uploaded document" message, so try again later. Spreadsheets are read locally and chunked in 250-row segments for downstream AI processing; cell values are read as saved, and formulas are not re-evaluated.

7. Figma files as .Pencil

  • File format: Figma, as .Pencil files exported with the Pencil Pluigin for Figma. See integrate Figma.

8. Adobe After Effects files (AE)

  • File format: AE (Adobe After Effects Project File).

  • Notes: AE file support enables advanced motion graphics and animation capabilities. Ensure all linked assets, such as images, fonts and audio, are packaged with the AE file for smooth uploading. See integrate After Effects.

General tips for file preparation

  • Optimise file sizes for quick uploads and platform performance.

  • Organise and label layers in PSD files for efficient collaboration.

  • Outline text in SVG files to avoid font issues.

  • Embed required maps in 3D models to enhance visual quality and ensure compatibility.

  • Maintain consistent aspect ratios across assets, though any ratio is accepted.

  • Convert HEIC iPhone photos to JPG or PNG before uploading, because HEIC is not supported.

  • Bake EXIF rotation into image files before uploading, because the asset processor does not honour rotation metadata.

  • For transparent video, export to .mov (ProRes 4444) or .webm (VP9 with alpha). Re-wrapping into .mp4 will lose the alpha channel.

  • For long videos, target 10 minutes or less and 500 MB or less for fastest processing.

  • For PDF briefs and brand documents, unlock any password-protected PDFs before uploading.

  • For Word and PowerPoint legacy formats (.doc, .ppt), Pencil will parse them, but exporting to .docx or .pptx from modern Office is more reliable.

Following these guidelines will ensure compatibility with the Pencil platform, streamlining the creative process and supporting brand consistency.

Accepted 3D file types are listed in a dedicated article. [Link to be added: accepted 3D file types article.]

Supported export formats

In addition to uploading files, Pencil supports exporting creatives in multiple formats to suit various use cases.

1. Image export formats (PNG, JPG, WEBP, PSD, HTML)

Pencil supports exporting creatives in multiple image formats.

Formats: PNG, JPG, WEBP, PSD, HTML.
​Compression options (where applicable): None (0), Low (50), Medium (75), High (90).

Notes: compression affects both image quality and file size, so choose the level that best balances quality and performance.

2. Video export formats (MOV, MP4, WEBM, GIF, HTML)

Formats: MOV, MP4, WEBM, GIF, HTML.
​Compression options (where applicable): None (0), Low (50), Medium (75), High (90).
​Frame rates: 24, 29.97, 30 fps.

Notes: higher compression reduces file size but may affect visual quality.

3. Text export formats (PDF, DOCX, TXT)

Export text-based creative content for sharing, review or storage.

Formats: PDF, DOCX, TXT.

  • PDF for review-ready, fixed layout.

  • DOCX for editable copy.

  • TXT for lightweight or plain text versions.

4. Print export formats (PNG, JPG)

Prepare print-friendly versions of your creatives.

Formats: PNG, JPG.

  • PNG and JPG are suitable when a raster image is required by the printer or workflow.

  • High-resolution exports give the best print results.

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