NoSolids

NoSolids is a script to rid you of having to use solids. Nulls, adjustment layers, and normal solid layers are all replaced with shapes. Instead of using the top left corner of a null for its anchor like vanilla AE, NoSolids anchors nulls at the center.

Installing NoSolids

NoSolids.jsxbin must be placed in the Scripts directory in the After Effects folder. That folder will be named "Adobe After Effects Effects [version]" which has been replaced with "AE" below.

macOS

/Applications/AE/Scripts/ScriptUI Panels

Windows

\Program Files\AE\Support Files\Scripts\ScriptUI Panels

If After Effects was running when you installed the script, you’ll need to restart it.

Launching NoSolids

When properly installed, you will find NoSolids.jsxbin under the Window menu in After Effects.

Interface

The NoSolids panel is responsive and will change between two layouts depending on the panel width.

Functions

For any of the following functions, if you have a layer selected, it will put your new null or layer above your selected layer.

Create Null - Hold shift to parent selection to new null. Hold alt/option to create a controller.

Create Adjustment Layer - Creates an adjustment layer sized to the comp with an expression to always fill the comp. Hold alt/option to create the adjustment without the auto-resize expression.

Create Rectangle - Creates a rectangle shape sized to fit the comp with a fill and no stroke. Hold shift to make it square instead. Hold alt/option to make it a stroked shape with no fill. Shift and alt/option can be combined.

Create Ellipse - Creates an ellipse shape sized to fit the comp with a fill and no stroke. Hold shift to make it circle instead. Hold alt/option to make it a stroked shape with no fill. Shift and alt/option can be combined.

If you hover over the buttons, a tool tip will help you to remember what the modifier keys do.

KBar Compatibility

NoSolids is compatible with KBar v2.0 and later.

Create a new script button and select the NoSolids.jsxbin script file. By default this will just open the script panel itself.

You can use the following arguments in the “Script function or argument” field to access the functions above individually:

All of the modifier keys listed in the Button section above will still work, unless you have forced KBar to do something else when you're using a modifier key.

Thank You!

Thank you so much for purchasing NoSolids! We appreciate you supporting us and we sincerely hope that it will help save you time in your work! Feel free to contact us to tell us about the awesome stuff you’ve used NoSolids on. Or contact us if you need help so we can do our best to help you!

Thanks again!