Getting Started with Motion Graphics: Shape Layers

Shape Layers in Adobe After Effects are the backbone of motion graphics.
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In this video I share everything you need to know to get started with shape layers. Shape layers are one of the foundations of every motion graphics piece. Since shape layers in After Effects are vector based, they are ideal for animation. Shape layers are used in character animations, explainer videos, transitions and broadcast packages. Understanding how shape layers work is important to becoming a creative motion designer. In this video, we go over the types of shape paths in After Effects and what is different about the two types of shape paths: Parametric and Bezier. There are distinct differences and it can sometimes be confusing.
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0:00 - Intro
0:15 - Shape Layers are vector layers
0:36 - Basic components of shape layers
1:23 - Two types of Shape paths
2:48 - Shortcuts for navigating shape groups
6:19 - Adding Shapes to a shape layer
7:29 - Extras
7:58 - Convert parametric paths to bezier paths
8:13 - Hold to draw bezier paths automatically
8:29 - ways to customize shapes
8:53 - Scale shape without scaling stroke thickness
9:05 - Scale Bezier paths without scaling stroke thickness
9:30 - One more stroke trick
9:48 - Outro
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[@cdb3847]

Super helpful! Never understood the parametric/bezier distinction before.

[@azistardebris]

Amazing content! Exactly what I was looking for. For some reason there aren't that many tutorials on this topic, but you do a great job breaking everything down!! Thank you! Subscribed ;)

[@obv_design9310]

Extremely helpful tutorial!😍 Thank you so much!!!🔥

[@jeorc]

This is gold! Thank you.

[@teh_rei]

Such a great video, I learnt more and easier than hour or so of Adobe tutorial videos

[@dharmkhalsa6097]

Thanks Man! Super helpful. Shap layers in AE are there own beast!

[@SOM_-sy6pv]

Really informative! love your "shape layer" tutorials! please keep doing this, Thanks

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Thank you! Will do!

[@mikeburke1993]

This is a good video. Need more of this.

[@OFGAnimationStudio]

Hi John, extremely beneficial video for learning all parts of the shape layers. Your contents are amazing and makes us better understands them. Looking forward to new videos. Thanks a lot :)

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

My pleasure!

[@Neverendingtravel]

Looking forward for next clever tricks with shape layers. Good job!

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

You got it!

[@fotabrollop]

Super duper helpful! Thanks!

[@alldavids4202]

Such a great video. Thank you very much. I'm new to this and am still learning the basics. This is a BASIC video that breaks everything down perfectly. Yesterday I spent the better part of the day trying to figure out how to tweak multiple shape layers easily. What I learned in this video is that I can copy the contents of one layer into another and place them in a group. The next time I do a project like what I did yesterday, it'll take me half the time.

[@MikeLisii]

The amount of useful information in this video is insane. Thank you very much. I am sure you have a lot more things to tell us about shapes I hope one day you will make a part second part with more in deph about shapes and paths.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad it was helpful! More to come!

[@miscztaBustACap]

@@TheKeyframeAcademy yes I agree a very very useful tutorial! 👌👍👏 Thank you! 🙏

[@amirthalingam9771]

Great video, Thank you so much!😊

[@MONGandKOO]

Thank you so much. Your videos helped me a lot on understanding the basics of shape layers.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@agostina.k]

Gracias por compartir! Sos muy generoso

[@tanyaadam2023]

Thank you! That was fantastic! I really appreciated your tips.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Darwinsown]

Great video. Definitely would love more shape layer videos, like how to use the other layer tools - Offset, Merge, etc - especially in relation to how to create styles for Rubberhose. Thanks.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Noted!

[@zarnagadhiya]

Amazing!!!!

[@zahldesign4611]

Thank you for helping me! :D

[@Shahadcreative]

Thank you for this awesome video

[@stevenweii]

this video is very infromative and helpful.

[@erwinsiron]

Binge-watching your videos. Quality tutorials you've got here :)

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Awesome, thank you!

[@JGAbstract]

Amazing video, thank you sincerely.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@prokassim]

Awesome tutorial, thank you, very useful info.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

You're welcome!

[@Tangomango1720]

Love the content! Great for beginners :)

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad you think so!

[@danielamijares4766]

Thanks!

[@rhodghier]

Thank you for a very helpful video. Just Subscribed to your channel.

[@thuytrinhnguyen8497]

You are awesome!!

[@JesseMoffett]

OMG so helpful! And I’ve been using shape layers for years!

[@JesseMoffett]

I’m still a noob and get confused when the handles disappears….that tip is a life saver (3)

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Happy to help!

[@Danimally]

Thank you

[@WowReally-_-]

thanks so much great video..

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Thanks!

[@erwinmeisel2545]

Very impressive and informative video. Thank you!

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sirnad7813]

Thanks ❤

[@Yusuf3D]

that was a great video .. thanks a lot

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad you liked it!

[@saraershadi2632]

Thanks a LOT!

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

You're welcome!

[@GERZM]

commenting for the algorithm! great video as always

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mdshibli1009]

Brilliant

[@jojoboys]

Hello Bro ,, Could you Tell me ,may i add effect in one of shape group layer it's Like ( can i add wave wrap in one of group shape )

[@kylewinters8531]

Very helpful, thankl you. I think at 9:15 you can simply click on path and push ctrl-T, works the same way

[@Chibuliem]

Thanks

[@davideentertainment]

Still Great Tips man even after a year

[@MAD42]

cool.thx.

[@e.mercan]

Hello John, The information you provided was extremely helpful. Do you have a video of the animation process? Thanks

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Yes, soon

[@anierobi]

Very helpful

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad you think so!

[@hirenprabtani8796]

Nice

[@Lynyj]

3:00 would like to know about how to organize Illustrator file like this hierarchy effectively after it converts to shape

[@rickardbengtsson]

´Good stuff

[@nicolas.kannov]

Hey John, awesome video as always! You said you mainly work using shapes in after effects, so I have a question. Do you design the art for you pieces in AE or do you prefer to do so in Illustrator? If you do design in AE, can you show your workflow designing things in AE? Thanks!

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

I design most everything in Illustrator, and then bring that art over to AE as shape layers (as opposed to just flat illustrator files) using overlord. I think it's worth knowing the ins and outs of designing for both since sometimes shapes have to be modified once in AE. But when I am putting things together, I'm definitely doing so in Illustrator as I can just move faster, not just from a workflow stand point, but just a performance stand point too. (AE starts to really chug at a certain threshold of shape layers, making not a ideal for designing.)

[@nicolas.kannov]

@@TheKeyframeAcademy Ok, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the insight John!

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Anytime

[@vincentsequeira3723]

The beginner thanks you.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Glad I could help

[@maheshnagaraj9262]

Nice video. Can you make more videos on morphing? I watched this umbrella video on this channel, and in that video, you explained the importance of having the shape path direction and the first vertex point being the same. Since there is no way to change the path direction of shape in after effects. It would be nice to know your workflow tips and tricks when working with shape layers only in AE and not using Illustrator to change the path direction.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

There is a tool called Penpal that will reverse the shape path in After Effects. Thats the only way I know how to reverse the path in After Effects, other than just manually flipping the path your self. There is no official way to reverse a path in After Effects natively. But also, when it comes to morphing, the only really way to do this is to pay attention to the way you are drawing shapes, and just consistently draw them in the same direction, then you can avoid having to reverse them.

[@maheshnagaraj9262]

@@TheKeyframeAcademy thank you for the tip And tha ks for replying.

[@davidhorvath9276]

So is this a tutorial / an Enveto ad?

[@anupkaushik9370]

Is it good practice to design any characters or models in after effect rather creating it in Illustrator ? Which one is light weight and professional ?

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Personally, I always design in Illustrator, as it is made for that purpose. If you haven't already, check out Overlord by Battle Axe. It makes designing in Illustrator for After Effects much more practical.

[@SpearChuckUngawa]

Thanks for 2:27

[@DanielZH]

Amazing tutorial, just music is a bit loud.

[@filipemecenas]

Thanks alot !!! "Hit the S S " 😱😱😱

[@nadeera_asanka]

[@abiko8359]

Is there any replacement for element 3d other than blender ?

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

There are so many. Cinema 4d, 3ds Max, Maya just to name a few. None of them are free though.

[@abiko8359]

@@TheKeyframeAcademy I'll look for pre-activated versions of them , thnx though ❤️✌️

[@dahaka55555]

The Convert Vertex Tool does not let you move the node. I been searching for a way to move the nodes but I guess NOBODY knows.... sometimes I can and somentimes I can't, WHICH ONE IS THE FKING TOOL TO MOVE NODES....

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

Probably because you're trying to use the convert vertex tool on a parametric shape. If you create a shape using one of the shape tools, you cannot change the shape with the convert vertex tool. (you must first convert the shape to a bezier path) When it does work, its probably because you drew your shape out with the pen tool, which automatically creates a bezier path. So, to recap. Rectangle/ellipse/polystar tool used to create a shape = Parametric shape = cannot use convert vertex tool. (unless you convert the shape to a bezier path) Pen tool used to create shape = can use convert vertex tool

[@dahaka55555]

​@@TheKeyframeAcademy No, I'm not using shapes, I am using the pen tool and layers from Illustrator converted to vectors. The convert vertex tool is not made for moving nodes, in any of the other adobe tools you can't do that.

[@TheKeyframeAcademy]

@@dahaka55555 Hold control to move the node, your convert vertex tool will turn into a cursor. (i'm on windows) Or you can select and move nodes wiht the selection tool. Also, sidenote...you can move nodes with the anchor point tool (illustrators version of the convert vertext tool) in Illustrator by holding shift. But generally you don't move nodes this way.

[@mohammadhashash9329]

[@micahbauer3152]

This explained so many frustrating things about After Effects.