#After effects change solid color how to
#After effects change solid color pro

Again, paint operations refer to the fill and stroke attributes, while path operations are similar to effects. These include new groups, shape templates, as well as paint and path operations. Here you can add a number of different attributes and properties to your shape. If you look to the right of the Contents of your shape layer, you’ll see an Add button.

#After effects change solid color pro

Pro tip: Make sure you have the Toggle Mask and Shape Path Visibility selected. Clicking on a segment will show me the path, allowing me to select and move individual vertices as well as access the bezier handle controls. One more double click will isolate the Earth. Double-clicking again will isolate the Solar System group. Double-clicking will select the Milky Way group. First, I can click in the comp panel to select the Universe layer. Once complete, I can now edit everything in my “universe” individually or together, all from within this one shape layer.įor example, let’s say that I want to edit the Earth shape inside of my Universe layer. Next, I placed the Solar System in a Milky Way Galaxy group. First, I created the sun and the eight planets and grouped them together in a Solar System group. To help illustrate this, I’ve created a mini-universe within this shape layer. In fact, each group can contain as many paths and attributes as you’d like, which allows you to create extremely complex shapes. While this can be quite complex and confusing, this grouping system offers incredible versatility. When you create a new shape with an existing shape layer selected, you’ll simply create a new shape group within that layer. You can even rename any of the attributes within the group, including the Path, Fill, Stroke, as well as any other attribute you add. Rename these shape groups just as you would any other layer-select the shape, hit the return key and type in the new name. To help keep everything organized, it’s good to rename groups in your shape layer. You can place a group within a group, and then another group within that group, and so on and so forth. It’s best to think of groups as comps and precomps.

#After effects change solid color how to

Let’s have a closer look at how to properly handle groups inside of a shape layer. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand which object you’re manipulating, as each group has its own transform properties and blend modes.

You can see the layer’s main transform properties just below the shape’s transform properties. This grouping system is where most of the confusion sets in for AE users. These tools also work exactly the same with the Pen tool. Here you can specify the colors, switch from a solid color to a gradient, and adjust the stroke width, all before you ever even create the shape. Customize the Fill and Stroke attributes in this same toolbar. There are five different template options available, including rectangle, rounded rectangle, ellipse, polygon and star. If you’d rather not draw your own shape with the Pen tool, you can always use the ever-so-handy Shape tool. Now you have an infinitely scalable vector shape. To create a closed path, simply connect the last vertex with the first. Control how these segments and vertices connect with each other via bezier handles. When you add more than one vertex to your comp, they will be connected with segments. You can add, delete, and edit vertices in the composition using the Pen tool. Together, these vertices and segments create paths. To understand a shape layer, you first need to learn a few of the fundamentals.Īt the most basic level, an After Effects shape is a vector graphic made up of vertices and segments. By the end of this article, you will feel comfortable creating and manipulating shapes inside of After Effects, allowing you to focus on the creative side of your project. Maybe you use shapes from time to time, but you just can’t seem to figure out how to apply a stroke or customize a path. This tutorial is targeted at folks who have little to no experience with shape layers. You can even harness the power of the Adobe CC family and import Illustrator layers as shapes. Turn masks and text layers into editable shapes for some versatile and dynamic options in post. You can create a lot with these colorful little vectors, including dynamic transitions, colorfully animated backgrounds, and motion graphics elements for a lower third.

Understanding how these layers work will help you master how to use them. You can easily lose track of a shape in the sea of groups, paths, attributes, and transform properties. The layout of a shape layer isn’t exactly intuitive. If you’ve ever worked with a shape inside of Adobe After Effects then you’ve no doubt had some confusing moments. Cut through the confusion and take control of your shape layers.