Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this lesson you will learn how to add and work with Solid Layers (Y) which are often used to add background colors and to generate Effects.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Solid Layers
1. Definition: Solid color layers are rasterized or pixel-based graphic layers.
2. Basic properties: Only contain layer transform properties.
2. Creating Solid Layers
1. Methods to create solids:
1. Right-click in the timeline or comp window ... New ... Solid.
2. Top menu: Layer ... New ... Solid.
3. Keyboard shortcut: Command/Control + Y.
2. Solid settings:
1. Naming the solid (e.g., Blue BG).
2. Manually changing the width and height or using "Make Comp Size" for matching composition size.
3. Changing color using the color swatch, hex code, or eyedropper tool.
3. New solids are added to the Layers panel and a "Solids" folder in the Project panel.
3. Editing Solid Layers
1. Double-clicking to open the solid layer for additional editing (e.g., using paint tools).
2. Adding layer styles, effects, and animating solid layers using transform properties.
3. Duplicating solid layers: Command/Control + D.
4. Changing solid settings:
1. Top menu: Layer ... Solid Settings.
2. Options to change name, size, and color.
3. Checkbox to apply changes to all layers using the same solid.
4. Common Use Cases for Solid Layers
1. Backgrounds:
1. Creating solid color backgrounds that render instead of the transparent placeholder background.
2. Adding effects like gradients or grain to enhance the background.
2. Design Elements:
1. Using the Pen Tool to create design elements from solid layers.
3. Color Overlays:
1. Adding solid layers over textures, videos, or photos and changing blend modes.
2. Toggle blend modes by holding Shift and tapping the equal or plus key.
5. Applying Effects to Solid Layers
1. Effects in the Generate and Noise & Grain Categories:
1. Creating a new solid and applying effects like fractal noise.
2. Example: Creating an animated background using fractal noise:
1. Creating a new solid and naming it (e.g., Fractal Noise).
2. Applying the Fractal Noise effect (Effect ... Noise & Grain ... Fractal Noise).
3. Adjusting properties like contrast, brightness, and adding expressions (e.g., time*250 for random seed).
6. Advanced Customization and Animation
1. Inverting colors by changing the brightness property.
2. Creating vintage or retro effects by layering solids with blend modes.
3. Using expressions to animate effects on solid layers.
4. Example: Using Fractal Noise for vintage effect:
1. Creating a white background with black specks by adjusting brightness.
2. Adding a color overlay below the animated solid and changing blend mode to overlay.
7. Additional Tips
1. Creating new solid layers using Command/Control + Y.
2. Changing settings for existing solids using Layer ... Solid Settings or Shift + Command/Control + Y.
In this lesson you will learn how to add and work with Solid Layers (Y) which are often used to add background colors and to generate Effects.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Solid Layers
1. Definition: Solid color layers are rasterized or pixel-based graphic layers.
2. Basic properties: Only contain layer transform properties.
2. Creating Solid Layers
1. Methods to create solids:
1. Right-click in the timeline or comp window ... New ... Solid.
2. Top menu: Layer ... New ... Solid.
3. Keyboard shortcut: Command/Control + Y.
2. Solid settings:
1. Naming the solid (e.g., Blue BG).
2. Manually changing the width and height or using "Make Comp Size" for matching composition size.
3. Changing color using the color swatch, hex code, or eyedropper tool.
3. New solids are added to the Layers panel and a "Solids" folder in the Project panel.
3. Editing Solid Layers
1. Double-clicking to open the solid layer for additional editing (e.g., using paint tools).
2. Adding layer styles, effects, and animating solid layers using transform properties.
3. Duplicating solid layers: Command/Control + D.
4. Changing solid settings:
1. Top menu: Layer ... Solid Settings.
2. Options to change name, size, and color.
3. Checkbox to apply changes to all layers using the same solid.
4. Common Use Cases for Solid Layers
1. Backgrounds:
1. Creating solid color backgrounds that render instead of the transparent placeholder background.
2. Adding effects like gradients or grain to enhance the background.
2. Design Elements:
1. Using the Pen Tool to create design elements from solid layers.
3. Color Overlays:
1. Adding solid layers over textures, videos, or photos and changing blend modes.
2. Toggle blend modes by holding Shift and tapping the equal or plus key.
5. Applying Effects to Solid Layers
1. Effects in the Generate and Noise & Grain Categories:
1. Creating a new solid and applying effects like fractal noise.
2. Example: Creating an animated background using fractal noise:
1. Creating a new solid and naming it (e.g., Fractal Noise).
2. Applying the Fractal Noise effect (Effect ... Noise & Grain ... Fractal Noise).
3. Adjusting properties like contrast, brightness, and adding expressions (e.g., time*250 for random seed).
6. Advanced Customization and Animation
1. Inverting colors by changing the brightness property.
2. Creating vintage or retro effects by layering solids with blend modes.
3. Using expressions to animate effects on solid layers.
4. Example: Using Fractal Noise for vintage effect:
1. Creating a white background with black specks by adjusting brightness.
2. Adding a color overlay below the animated solid and changing blend mode to overlay.
7. Additional Tips
1. Creating new solid layers using Command/Control + Y.
2. Changing settings for existing solids using Layer ... Solid Settings or Shift + Command/Control + Y.
