Understanding Shape Layer Match Names in Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects uses “Match Names” as identifiers for various elements, making scripting and automation easier. Here’s a comprehensive look at the match names and their corresponding display names for different components of Shape Layers.

1. Layer

The primary identifier for a Shape Layer in After Effects is:

• Match Name: ADBE Vector Layer
• Display Name: Shape Layer

2. Contents and Groups

Within a Shape Layer, the contents and groups are organized as follows:

• ADBE Root Vectors Group → Contents
• ADBE Vector Group → Group
• ADBE Vector Blend Mode → Blend Mode
• ADBE Vector Transform Group → Transform
• ADBE Vector Materials Group → Material Options

3. Shape-Specific Elements

Each shape type (Rectangle, Ellipse, Polystar, etc.) has unique match names for its properties:

• Rectangle:
  • Size, Position, and Roundness are examples of customizable attributes.
• Ellipse:
  • Includes elements like Size and Position.
• Polystar:
  • Offers properties such as Points, Inner Radius, Outer Radius, and their corresponding roundness options.

4. Other Components

Additional elements, such as Path, Fill, Stroke, and more, have their match names mapped to intuitive display names. For example:

• Fill:
  • Color and Opacity adjustments can be made here.
• Stroke:
  • Includes Width, Color, and advanced options like Dashes and Tapering.

5. Special Filters and Effects

Effects like Merge Paths, Offset Paths, and Pucker & Bloat are also included in this system. Each has its unique match name for scripting purposes.

Shape Layer Match Names¶

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Layer¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Layer	Shape Layer

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Contents¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Root Vectors Group	Contents

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Group¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Group	Group
ADBE Vector Blend Mode	Blend Mode
ADBE Vectors Group	Contents
ADBE Vector Transform Group	Transform
ADBE Vector Materials Group	Material Options

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Rectangle¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Shape - Rect	Rectangle
ADBE Vector Shape Direction	Shape Direction
ADBE Vector Rect Size	Size
ADBE Vector Rect Position	Position
ADBE Vector Rect Roundness	Roundness

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Ellipse¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Shape - Ellipse	Ellipse
ADBE Vector Shape Direction	Shape Direction
ADBE Vector Ellipse Size	Size
ADBE Vector Ellipse Position	Position

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Polystar¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Shape - Star	Polystar
ADBE Vector Shape Direction	Shape Direction
ADBE Vector Star Type	Type
ADBE Vector Star Points	Points
ADBE Vector Star Position	Position
ADBE Vector Star Rotation	Rotation
ADBE Vector Star Inner Radius	Inner Radius
ADBE Vector Star Outer Radius	Outer Radius
ADBE Vector Star Inner Roundess	Inner Roundness
ADBE Vector Star Outer Roundess	Outer Roundness

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Path¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Shape - Group	Path
ADBE Vector Shape Direction	Shape Direction
ADBE Vector Shape	Path

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Fill¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Graphic - Fill	Fill
ADBE Vector Blend Mode	Blend Mode
ADBE Vector Composite Order	Composite
ADBE Vector Fill Rule	Fill Rule
ADBE Vector Fill Color	Color
ADBE Vector Fill Opacity	Opacity

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Stroke¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Graphic - Stroke	Stroke
ADBE Vector Blend Mode	Blend Mode
ADBE Vector Composite Order	Composite
ADBE Vector Stroke Color	Color
ADBE Vector Stroke Opacity	Opacity
ADBE Vector Stroke Width	Stroke Width
ADBE Vector Stroke Line Cap	Line Cap
ADBE Vector Stroke Line Join	Line Join
ADBE Vector Stroke Miter Limit	Miter Limit

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Stroke Dashes¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Stroke Dashes	Dashes
ADBE Vector Stroke Dash 1	Dash
ADBE Vector Stroke Gap 1	Gap
ADBE Vector Stroke Dash 2	Dash 2
ADBE Vector Stroke Gap 2	Gap 2
ADBE Vector Stroke Dash 3	Dash 3
ADBE Vector Stroke Gap 3	Gap 3
ADBE Vector Stroke Offset	Offset

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Stroke Taper¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Stroke Taper	Taper
ADBE Vector Taper Start Width	Start Width
ADBE Vector Taper Length Units	Length Units
ADBE Vector Taper End Width	End Width
ADBE Vector Taper End Ease	End Ease
ADBE Vector Taper End Length	End Length
ADBE Vector Taper Start Length	Start Length
ADBE Vector Taper Start Ease	Start Ease

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Stroke Wave¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Stroke Wave	Wave
ADBE Vector Taper Wave Amount	Amount
ADBE Vector Taper Wave Units	Units
ADBE Vector Taper Wave Phase	Phase
ADBE Vector Taper Wavelength	Wavelength

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Gradient Fill¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Graphic - G-Fill	Gradient Fill
ADBE Vector Blend Mode	Blend Mode
ADBE Vector Composite Order	Composite
ADBE Vector Fill Rule	Fill Rule
ADBE Vector Grad Type	Type
ADBE Vector Grad Start Pt	Start Point
ADBE Vector Grad End Pt	End Point
ADBE Vector Grad HiLite Length	Highlight Length
ADBE Vector Grad HiLite Angle	Highlight Angle
ADBE Vector Grad Colors	Colors
ADBE Vector Fill Opacity	Opacity

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Gradient Stroke¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Graphic - G-Stroke	Gradient Stroke
ADBE Vector Blend Mode	Blend Mode
ADBE Vector Composite Order	Composite
ADBE Vector Grad Type	Type
ADBE Vector Grad Start Pt	Start Point
ADBE Vector Grad End Pt	End Point
ADBE Vector Grad HiLite Length	Highlight Length
ADBE Vector Grad HiLite Angle	Highlight Angle
ADBE Vector Grad Colors	Colors
ADBE Vector Stroke Opacity	Opacity
ADBE Vector Stroke Width	Stroke Width
ADBE Vector Stroke Line Cap	Line Cap
ADBE Vector Stroke Line Join	Line Join
ADBE Vector Stroke Miter Limit	Miter Limit
ADBE Vector Stroke Dashes	Dashes

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Merge Paths¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Merge	Merge Paths
ADBE Vector Merge Type	Mode

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Offset Paths¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Offset	Offset Paths
ADBE Vector Offset Amount	Amount
ADBE Vector Offset Line Join	Line Join
ADBE Vector Offset Miter Limit	Miter Limit
ADBE Vector Offset Copies	Copies
ADBE Vector Offset Copy Offset	Copy Offset

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Pucker & Bloat¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - PB	Pucker & Bloat
ADBE Vector PuckerBloat Amount	Amount

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Repeater¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Repeater	Repeater
ADBE Vector Repeater Copies	Copies
ADBE Vector Repeater Offset	Offset
ADBE Vector Repeater Order	Composite
ADBE Vector Repeater Transform	Transform

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Round Corners¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - RC	Round Corners
ADBE Vector RoundCorner Radius	Radius

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Trim Paths¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Trim	Trim Paths
ADBE Vector Trim Start	Start
ADBE Vector Trim End	End
ADBE Vector Trim Offset	Offset
ADBE Vector Trim Type	Trim Multiple Shapes

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Twist¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Twist	Twist
ADBE Vector Twist Angle	Angle
ADBE Vector Twist Center	Center

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Wiggle Paths¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Roughen	Wiggle Paths
ADBE Vector Roughen Size	Size
ADBE Vector Roughen Detail	Detail
ADBE Vector Roughen Points	Points
ADBE Vector Temporal Freq	Wiggles/Second
ADBE Vector Correlation	Correlation
ADBE Vector Temporal Phase	Temporal Phase
ADBE Vector Spatial Phase	Spatial Phase
ADBE Vector Random Seed	Random Seed

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Wiggle Transform¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Wiggler	Wiggle Transform
ADBE Vector Xform Temporal Freq	Wiggles/Second
ADBE Vector Correlation	Correlation
ADBE Vector Temporal Phase	Temporal Phase
ADBE Vector Spatial Phase	Spatial Phase
ADBE Vector Random Seed	Random Seed
ADBE Vector Wiggler Transform	Transform

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Zig Zag¶

Match Name	Display Name (EN)
ADBE Vector Filter - Zigzag	Zig Zag
ADBE Vector Zigzag Size	Size
ADBE Vector Zigzag Detail	Ridges per segment
ADBE Vector Zigzag Points	Points