Hi Luke,
I don’t understand – the two things you say is present in AP is actually not. And the thing you say is not, is actually kind of a thing. 🙂 When you import an image (jpg or png) or a sequence (multiple jpg’s, png’s or animated gif), they will automatically be imported into a new “reference layer”. Is that what you were looking for?
Please let me know, so I can help you better.
Best,
Niels