How To Quickly Change a Solid Color in After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a go-to tool for video creators all over the globe. The program works by layering individual sheets of animation or graphics to create captivating visuals that bring both 2D and 3D ideas to life.

But working with such a complex tool can be tricky. Particularly when it comes to finessing all the different types of sheets (or “layers”).

In this article, you’ll learn all about how to use the solid color layer. It’s arguably one of the most important layers of After Effects. Learn how to quickly create a solid color layer in After Effects and change its color. Also, explore its potential for backgrounds, effects, and other useful techniques.

If you’re new to After Effects, you might be wondering what a solid color layer actually is.

It’s like a blank canvas or a background layer that can be customized with different colors, patterns, and effects. Solid color layers are incredibly versatile. They serve as a foundation for many different video editing tasks.

It’s also helpful to know that a solid color layer is just one of several layer types in After Effects. Others include shape layers, adjustment layers, cameras, lights, and null objects. If you’re a beginner, a solid color layer is a great place to start learning about different layer types.

Now, for the hands-on part. Follow these steps to create a solid color layer in After Effects:

Pro Tip: Use the shortcut Command + Y on Mac or Control + Y on a PC to create a new Solid Colour. This will speedily cut to adjust the layer’s properties.

So, you’ve got an existing solid color layer in After Effects, but you want to make some changes to it? Here’s what to do:

Pro Tip: Use the shortcut “T” to quickly access the Opacity property and adjust the layer’s transparency, enhancing your creative possibilities. First, make sure that you’ve selected the layer you wish to make more transparent. Next slide the default figure of 100 back towards the left until you reach a figure that you’re happy with.

Solid color layers in After Effects offer more than just a background. Here are some advanced techniques and features you can incorporate into your work to make the most of these versatile layers:

Gradient Backgrounds

Creating gradients is a fantastic way to add depth and dimension to your videos.

To do this, select your solid color layer, then go to the Effect menu and navigate to Generate then Gradient Ramp. Move the playhead to another point in your timeline and change the color using the control panel. After Effects will automatically create a smooth gradient transition between the two colors.

Want to give your composition a unique look? Overlaying textures on your solid color layers is a great way to do this.

Import the texture you’d like to use. Then place it above the solid color layer on the timeline. Now open the Mode dropdown and set it to Multiply. This technique can add a tactile feel to your videos, making them more visually engaging.

Adjusting the opacity of your solid color layer allows you to control its transparency (see our pro tip in the previous section for more on opacity).

Combine this with blend modes to create interesting overlays and effects. For example, lowering the opacity and using the Screen blend mode will create a soft, glowing effect. While the Multiply blend mode will add depth and richness to your colors.

You can take your solid color layers a step further by animating patterns.

Let’s say you want to create a dynamic background with moving stripes. Create a new solid color layer and then navigate to Effect and Venetian Blinds. Now, use keyframes to decide the speed you wish your stripes to move. Adjust the settings, such as Transition Completion and Width to get them looking just right.

This simple technique can breathe some life into your compositions.

Solid color layers are excellent for color correction and grading.

Apply a solid color layer on top of your footage, then go to Effect and Color Correction to select one of the options available. Adjust the properties such as the color, hue, saturation, and opacity to subtly influence the overall color balance of your video.

If you’re comfortable with scripting, you can use expressions to automate changes in your solid color layers.

For example, you can use an expression to make a solid color layer pulse or change color periodically. This adds a dynamic element to your videos without manual keyframing.

To add an expression, first select the 3D Layer icon above the layer name. Then hold the Option key on Mac or ALT key on Windows before clicking the Stop Watch icon next to the setting you wish to amend. A box will then appear and you can type your expression, for example, time*50. This is used in the example below.

Solid color layers can be parented to other layers, allowing them to inherit transformations.

This can be particularly useful when creating motion graphics or animations. Parent a solid color layer to a shape or text layer, and it will move and scale with the text seamlessly.

To do this, simply navigate to the Parent & Link option in the layers panel. Then open a dropdown menu on the layer you wish to be the “child” and select which layer you want to be the “parent”.

As your compositions become more complex, consider precomposing solid color layers with other elements. This simplifies your timeline and makes it easier to manage and apply effects to multiple layers simultaneously. To do this, select the layers in the Timeline panel, and choose Layer then Pre-compose.

When working with solid color layers, masks become the go-to tools for achieving precision.

Apply a mask to your solid color layer by selecting the layer, then click on the Rectangle or Ellipse mask tool in the toolbar. Adjust the mask’s shape and position to control where the solid color appears. You can also fine-tune it further by modifying the mask’s feathering and opacity settings.

It’s safe to say that there’s a lot youn can do with solid color layers in After Effects. Solid color layers offer a vast playground for video creators to explore, from gradients and textures to animations and expressions. As with anything creative, practice makes perfect. So, don’t be afraid to get stuck in and experiment to discover new ways to elevate your video projects.

And if you’re looking for more on After Effects, why not check out our guide on how to use track matte in After Effects? With track matte, you can start playing around with multi-layer transparency to add depth and dimension to your work. Or, explore thousands of After Effects templates on Envato Elements!