Message text:

After Effects error: Cannot import Illustrator files because the parser plug-in could not be found.

Message interpretation:

A vector art file could not be imported.

Possible causes:

After Effects supports the use of vector files by ways of the Illustrator AI and PDF format. Both methods however rely on the same routines by reading the PDF compatible data even for AI files. If that data is missing, the program is unable to read anything. This can happen, if you turn off the respective feature in Adobe Illustrator or the file was obtained from another source or exported from another vector drawing program like Corel Draw for instance. Another possible cause is of course that the required module is really missing or damaged, e.g. by an update that didn’t go through correctly.

Resolution or workaround:

In case the file does not meet the required specifications or is damaged, open it in Illustrator and save it with correct options to a new file. If the parser plug-in is missing or otherwise defunct, reinstall the program. Since PDF technology is shared between different Adobe applications, it may also be necessary to reinstall Acrobat/ Adobe Reader.