Ways to bring working files into Pencil
You can now import working files into Pencil in three ways:
Photoshop files (PSD) via the Pencil PSD plug-in
After Effects files (AE)
These integrations allow you to recreate layouts, maintain brand consistency, and streamline creative production directly within the platform.
What happens to working files after import?
Once a working file has been imported, it’s no longer referred to as a working file.
In Pencil, it becomes a template within the Template Library.
Templates are rebuilt from your original ads, allowing for:
Consistent layout reuse
Easy feed variations
Scalable content creation
Where are approved working files saved?
From Pencil:
Static assets can be exported as PSD files
Video assets are exported as MP4 files
After exporting, you can save these files anywhere you prefer — including MABI’s SharePoint or other client storage systems.
Are working files required to use Pencil?
Not always — but they help.
For static ads, layouts can often be recreated directly from reference materials. Placeholders can be used if elements like product images or backgrounds aren’t available.
For video ads, working files are much more valuable. They let creatives inspect layers and timelines, making it easier to build custom animated templates.
Now that After Effects integration is live, working files make it even easier to create and customise motion templates directly within Pencil.
In short: working files aren’t mandatory, but they make your creative process faster and more efficient.
Working files help bridge your creative design tools and Pencil’s template system.
By importing PSD, Figma, or AE files, you can turn your existing work into reusable templates that simplify ad production and scaling.