Adding a shape layer

One advantage of using a shape layer, rather than a solid layer, is that you can use the Fill option to create a linear or radial gradient. You’ll use the Rectangle tool to create a gradient background for the composition

About shapes

After Effects includes five drawing tools: the Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and Star tools. When you draw a shape directly in the Composition panel, After Effects adds a new shape layer to the composition. You can apply stroke and fill settings to a shape, modify its path, and apply animation presets. Shape attributes are all represented in the Timeline panel, and you can animate each setting over time.

The same drawing tools can create both shapes and masks. Masks are applied to layers to hide or reveal areas of an image, while shapes have their own layers. When you select a drawing tool, you can specify whether the tool draws a shape or a mask.

Drawing a shape

You’ll begin by drawing the rectangle that will contain the gradient fill.

1.	Select the Rectangle tool ().
2.	Click the Tool Creates Shape icon ().
3.	Choose 50% from the Magnification Ratio pop-up menu at the bottom of the Composition panel so that you can see the entire composition.
4.	Click just outside the upper-left corner of the composition and drag the tool to the area just outside the bottom-right corner, so that a rectangle covers the entire composition. The shape appears in the Composition panel, and After Effects adds a shape layer named Shape Layer 1 to the Timeline panel. [View full size image]

Applying a gradient fill

You can change the color of the shape by modifying its Fill settings in the Tools panel. Clicking the word Fill opens the Fill Options dialog box, which lets you select the kind of fill, its blending mode, and its opacity. Clicking the Fill Color box opens the Adobe Color Picker if the fill is solid, or the Gradient Editor if the fill is a gradient.

1.	Click the word Fill to open the Fill Options dialog box.
2.	Select the Radial Gradient option (), and click OK.
3.	Click the Fill Color box to open the Gradient Editor.
4.	Select the white color stop, and select a light blue color (RGB 100, 185, 240).
5.	Select the black color stop, and select a dark blue color (RGB 10, 25, 150). [View full size image]
6.	Click OK to apply the new gradient colors.

Modifying the gradient settings

The gradient is a little small, and it falls off quickly. You’ll adjust the settings for the shape layer to expand the gradient.

1.	In the Timeline panel, expand Shape Layer 1 > Contents > Rectangle 1 > Gradient Fill 1.
2.	Change the Start Point to 0, 225, and the End Point to 0, 740. [View full size image] Now the gradient originates at the bottom of the screen and falls off near the top and edges of the composition.
3.	Hide the Shape Layer 1 properties.
4.	Select the layer name (Shape Layer 1), press Enter (Windows) or Return (Mac OS), and type Background. Press Enter or Return to accept the new layer name.
5.	Click the Lock column for the Background layer to lock it so that you don’t accidentally select it.