diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs
index beb161a53..e1f58a1cc 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file.rs
@@ -125,7 +125,8 @@ fn revert(s: &mut Session, _: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
 }
 
 /// File ▸ Import; with `addToComp` (files dropped on the Timeline or the Composition viewer) they
-/// also become layers of the active comp ([`add_to_comp`]).
+/// also become layers of the active comp ([`add_to_comp`]); with `newComp` (the empty viewer's
+/// New Composition From Footage) they become one new composition instead ([`new_comp`]).
 ///
 /// With `background` (files dropped on the window or picked in the Import dialog) the files are
 /// probed on a background thread, so decoding a slow video doesn't freeze the app: the job shows
@@ -175,10 +176,10 @@ fn import_cmd(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     Ok(r)
 }
 
-/// After an import (its result `r`): with `addToComp`, the new items become layers of `target`;
-/// what couldn't be added joins the result's errors.
+/// After an import (its result `r`): with `newComp`, the new items become one new composition;
+/// otherwise with `addToComp`, layers of `target`. What couldn't be added joins the result's errors.
 fn finish_import(s: &mut Session, r: &mut Value, target: Option<ItemId>, p: &Value) {
-    let errors = add_to_comp(s, r, target, p);
+    let errors = if b_p(p, "newComp").unwrap_or(false) { new_comp(s, r) } else { add_to_comp(s, r, target, p) };
     if !errors.is_empty()
         && let Some(e) = r.get_mut("errors").and_then(Value::as_array_mut)
     {
@@ -192,18 +193,7 @@ fn finish_import(s: &mut Session, r: &mut Value, target: Option<ItemId>, p: &Val
 /// Project panel) and the other footage. `target` stays open. Returns what couldn't be added.
 pub(crate) fn add_to_comp(s: &mut Session, r: &Value, target: Option<ItemId>, p: &Value) -> Vec<String> {
     let Some(cid) = target.filter(|_| p.get("addToComp").and_then(Value::as_bool).unwrap_or(false)) else { return vec![] };
-    let ids = |k: &str| r.get(k).and_then(Value::as_array).into_iter().flatten().filter_map(Value::as_u64).collect::<Vec<u64>>();
-    let comps = ids("comps");
-    let in_comps: std::collections::HashSet<u64> = comps
-        .iter()
-        .filter_map(|c| s.project.comp(ItemId(*c)))
-        .flat_map(|c| c.layers.iter())
-        .filter_map(|l| match l.source {
-            LayerSource::Footage { item } | LayerSource::Comp { item } | LayerSource::Solid { item } => Some(item.0),
-            _ => None,
-        })
-        .collect();
-    let add: Vec<u64> = comps.iter().copied().chain(ids("items").into_iter().filter(|i| !in_comps.contains(i))).collect();
+    let add = imported(s, r);
     let mut errors = vec![];
     for (k, item) in add.into_iter().enumerate() {
         let mut params = json!({"comp": cid.0, "item": item, "time": p.get("time"), "position": p.get("position")});
@@ -220,6 +210,55 @@ pub(crate) fn add_to_comp(s: &mut Session, r: &Value, target: Option<ItemId>, p:
     errors
 }
 
+/// What an import (its result `r`) made that belongs in a comp: the comps of layered files
+/// (their layers' footage, in their precomps too, stays in the Project panel), then the other items,
+/// without those comps again or the files' folders.
+fn imported(s: &Session, r: &Value) -> Vec<u64> {
+    let ids = |k: &str| r.get(k).and_then(Value::as_array).into_iter().flatten().filter_map(Value::as_u64).collect::<Vec<u64>>();
+    let comps = ids("comps");
+    let mut in_comps = std::collections::HashSet::new();
+    let mut todo = comps.clone();
+    while let Some(c) = todo.pop() {
+        for l in s.project.comp(ItemId(c)).into_iter().flat_map(|c| c.layers.iter()) {
+            match l.source {
+                LayerSource::Comp { item } if in_comps.insert(item.0) => todo.push(item.0),
+                LayerSource::Footage { item } | LayerSource::Solid { item } => {
+                    in_comps.insert(item.0);
+                }
+                _ => {}
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    let rest = ids("items").into_iter().filter(|i| !in_comps.contains(i) && !comps.contains(i) && !s.project.item(ItemId(*i)).is_some_and(|it| it.is_folder()));
+    comps.iter().copied().chain(rest).collect()
+}
+
+/// With `newComp`, make one composition of the footage and solids an import (its result `r`)
+/// made, as New Comp from Selection does with `single` (first item on top, its settings). A comp
+/// the import made (a layered file) already is the composition, so it stays out, as does data
+/// footage; none left, no new comp. Returns what went wrong.
+fn new_comp(s: &mut Session, r: &Value) -> Vec<String> {
+    let items: Vec<ItemId> = imported(s, r)
+        .into_iter()
+        .map(ItemId)
+        .filter(|i| {
+            s.project.item(*i).is_some_and(|it| match &it.kind {
+                ItemKind::Footage(f) => f.kind != FootageKind::Data,
+                ItemKind::Solid(_) => true,
+                ItemKind::Comp(_) | ItemKind::Folder => false,
+            })
+        })
+        .collect();
+    if items.is_empty() {
+        return vec![];
+    }
+    s.state.project_selection = items;
+    match s.execute("file.newCompFromSelection", json!({"single": true})) {
+        Ok(_) => vec![],
+        Err(e) => vec![e.to_string()],
+    }
+}
+
 /// File ▸ Import, all in one go (scripts and commands built on it); see [`import_cmd`].
 pub(crate) fn import(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let pending = prepare_import(s, p)?;
@@ -746,7 +785,7 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
             "File...",
             ["File", "Import"],
             Some("Cmd+I"),
-            "{paths: [string] (files or folders), sequence?: bool (the Sequence checkbox: true imports numbered stills of one run as one image sequence, one picked file bringing its whole run and several picked files that range; default false: picked or dropped files import as stills, as in After Effects; folders' runs import as sequences; false imports stills and a folder's files individually), alphabetical?: bool (Force Alphabetical Order: every image of that type in the folder, by name), frameRate?: fps (image sequences; default Settings ▸ Import ▸ Sequence Footage), importAs?: footage|composition|compositionLayerSizes (Photoshop, PDF, Illustrator and EPS files), layer?: name|index (footage of one Photoshop layer), page?: number from 1 (PDF / Illustrator page), drag?: bool (dropped files: Settings ▸ Import ▸ Default Drag Import As; files import as stills unless sequence), addToComp?: bool (also add them to the active comp, at time?, index?, position? as in layer.addItem), background?: bool (probe the files in a background job, jobs.list / jobs.wait; returns {job})}",
+            "{paths: [string] (files or folders), sequence?: bool (the Sequence checkbox: true imports numbered stills of one run as one image sequence, one picked file bringing its whole run and several picked files that range; default false: picked or dropped files import as stills, as in After Effects; folders' runs import as sequences; false imports stills and a folder's files individually), alphabetical?: bool (Force Alphabetical Order: every image of that type in the folder, by name), frameRate?: fps (image sequences; default Settings ▸ Import ▸ Sequence Footage), importAs?: footage|composition|compositionLayerSizes (Photoshop, PDF, Illustrator and EPS files), layer?: name|index (footage of one Photoshop layer), page?: number from 1 (PDF / Illustrator page), drag?: bool (dropped files: Settings ▸ Import ▸ Default Drag Import As; files import as stills unless sequence), addToComp?: bool (also add them to the active comp, at time?, index?, position? as in layer.addItem), newComp?: bool (make one new composition of the footage and solids imported, as file.newCompFromSelection with single; a layered file imported as a composition is that composition and gets no other; takes precedence over addToComp), background?: bool (probe the files in a background job, jobs.list / jobs.wait; returns {job})}",
             always,
             import_cmd
         ),
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/session.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/session.rs
index d4a47c1cc..7723ae607 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/session.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/session.rs
@@ -159,6 +159,46 @@ fn background_imports_report_progress_and_select_what_arrived() {
     assert_eq!(r["items"].as_array().map(Vec::len), Some(1));
 }
 
+/// #2573: New Composition From Footage (`file.import {newComp}`) makes one composition of what
+/// the import made, first file on top, at once or when the background job lands; an import that
+/// made nothing makes no comp.
+#[test]
+fn new_comp_from_footage_makes_a_comp_of_what_was_imported() {
+    use effectcraft_project::{Footage, FootageKind, ItemKind};
+    struct Probe;
+    impl crate::Importer for Probe {
+        fn probe(&self, path: &str) -> Result<Footage, String> {
+            if path.ends_with(".xyz") {
+                return Err("unsupported file".into());
+            }
+            Ok(Footage { path: path.into(), kind: FootageKind::Still, width: 64, height: 32, has_video: true, ..Default::default() })
+        }
+    }
+    let mut s = Session { importer: Some(std::sync::Arc::new(Probe)), ..Default::default() };
+    let comps = |s: &Session| s.project.items.values().filter(|i| matches!(i.kind, ItemKind::Comp(_))).count();
+    let layers = |s: &Session| s.active_comp().unwrap().layers.iter().map(|l| l.name.clone()).collect::<Vec<_>>();
+    // At once.
+    s.execute("file.import", json!({"paths": ["/drop/a.png", "/drop/b.xyz"], "newComp": true})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(comps(&s), 1);
+    assert_eq!(layers(&s), ["a.png"]);
+    assert_eq!((s.active_comp().unwrap().width, s.active_comp().unwrap().height), (64, 32));
+    // In the background: the job's own items, whatever is selected or active meanwhile; it takes
+    // precedence over `addToComp`.
+    s.execute("file.import", json!({"paths": ["/drop/c.png", "/drop/d.png"], "background": true, "newComp": true, "addToComp": true})).unwrap();
+    s.state.project_selection.clear();
+    s.execute("jobs.wait", json!({})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(comps(&s), 2);
+    assert_eq!(layers(&s), ["c.png", "d.png"]);
+    // Nothing imported: no comp, and the failure is reported.
+    s.execute("file.import", json!({"paths": ["/drop/e.xyz"], "background": true, "newComp": true})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("jobs.wait", json!({})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(comps(&s), 2);
+    assert!(s.job_log.last().unwrap().message.contains("unsupported file"));
+    let r = s.execute("file.import", json!({"paths": ["/drop/f.xyz"], "newComp": true})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(comps(&s), 2);
+    assert_eq!(r["errors"].as_array().map(Vec::len), Some(1));
+}
+
 /// Audio, Lock and Shy don't change pixels: toggling them keeps the cached layers (#103).
 #[test]
 fn audio_lock_and_shy_keep_cached_layers() {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/vector_import.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/vector_import.rs
index 9cfb94ecc..10c07c2ad 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests/vector_import.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/vector_import.rs
@@ -160,6 +160,37 @@ fn psd_imports_as_composition() {
     assert!(s.project.comp(cid).is_none());
 }
 
+/// #2573: New Composition From Footage on a Photoshop file imported as a composition opens that
+/// composition; it isn't wrapped in another.
+#[test]
+fn psd_imported_as_composition_with_new_comp_is_the_new_comp() {
+    let path = tmp("newcomp.psd");
+    std::fs::write(&path, sample_psd()).unwrap();
+    let mut s = Session::default();
+    let r = s.execute_checked("file.import", json!({"paths": [path], "importAs": "composition", "newComp": true})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(r["errors"], json!([]), "{r}");
+    let cid = effectcraft_project::ItemId(r["comps"][0].as_u64().unwrap());
+    assert_eq!(s.state.active_comp, Some(cid));
+    let roots = s.project.items.values().filter(|i| matches!(i.kind, ItemKind::Comp(_)) && i.name.starts_with("newcomp")).count();
+    assert_eq!(roots, 1, "no wrapper comp");
+}
+
+/// A Photoshop file imported as a composition and dropped on the Timeline (`addToComp`) adds
+/// its composition once, not its folder too.
+#[test]
+fn psd_imported_as_composition_into_a_comp_adds_one_layer() {
+    let path = tmp("dropped.psd");
+    std::fs::write(&path, sample_psd()).unwrap();
+    let mut s = Session::default();
+    let main = s.execute("comp.new", json!({"name": "Main", "width": 320, "height": 180, "frameRate": 30, "duration": 4})).unwrap()["comp"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let r = s.execute_checked("file.import", json!({"paths": [path], "importAs": "composition", "addToComp": true})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(r["errors"], json!([]), "{r}");
+    let psd = r["comps"][0].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let layers = &s.project.comp(effectcraft_project::ItemId(main)).unwrap().layers;
+    assert_eq!(layers.len(), 1, "{layers:?}");
+    assert!(matches!(layers[0].source, LayerSource::Comp { item } if item.0 == psd));
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn psd_retain_layer_sizes() {
     let path = tmp("retain.psd");
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/viewer/frame.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/viewer/frame.rs
index ac467ecd5..6d705f414 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/viewer/frame.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/panels/viewer/frame.rs
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ pub(super) fn empty_state(app: &mut EffectcraftApp, ui: &mut egui::Ui, rect: Rec
     app.auto.add("viewer.empty.newComp", b1, "New Composition");
     let b2 = Rect::from_center_size(c + vec2(0.0, 40.0), vec2(220.0, 30.0));
     if widgets::text_button(ui, b2, "New Composition From Footage", false, &t, egui::Id::unique("empty-fromfootage")).clicked() {
-        let _ = crate::menus::invoke(app, &ui.ctx().clone(), "file.import", json!({}));
+        let _ = crate::menus::invoke(app, &ui.ctx().clone(), "file.import", json!({"newComp": true}));
     }
     app.auto.add("viewer.empty.import", b2, "New Composition From Footage");
     // A Project item dropped on the empty viewer creates the first composition,
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_drag_drop.rs b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_drag_drop.rs
index ec8db35cc..e0e853d68 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_drag_drop.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/tests/it/ui_drag_drop.rs
@@ -632,6 +632,27 @@ fn import_dialog_offers_the_image_sequence_option() {
     let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
 }
 
+/// #2573: the empty Composition viewer's New Composition From Footage imports the picked file
+/// (through the Import Image Sequence question a numbered still asks) and makes a composition
+/// of it, as in After Effects.
+#[test]
+fn new_composition_from_footage_makes_a_comp_of_the_picked_file() {
+    let mut h = Harness::builder().with_size(vec2(1600.0, 1000.0)).build_eframe(|_| EffectcraftApp::new(Session::default()));
+    h.run_steps(3);
+    let dir = frames("fromfootage", 2);
+    let pick = dir.join("frame_0002.png").to_string_lossy().to_string();
+    h.state_mut().session.importer = Some(Arc::new(Stills));
+    h.state_mut().hooks.pick_files = Some(Box::new(move |_: &[&str]| vec![pick.clone()]));
+    click_id(&mut h, "viewer.empty.import");
+    assert_eq!(h.state().dialog, Some(effectcraft_ui_egui::Dialog::Form));
+    click_id(&mut h, "form.ok");
+    step_until(&mut h, |h| h.state().session.active_comp().is_some());
+    let comp = h.state().session.active_comp().unwrap();
+    assert_eq!((comp.width, comp.height), (64, 32));
+    assert_eq!(comp.layers.iter().map(|l| l.name.as_str()).collect::<Vec<_>>(), ["frame_0002.png"]);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(&dir);
+}
+
 /// #297: a folder of frames dropped on the window arrives as one image sequence, and Interpret
 /// Footage shows its frames and Start Timecode (missing frames always show colour bars, as in
 /// After Effects: there is no Missing Frames choice). #431: dropped files import as stills, one