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How to add strokes to a shape in After Effects

Add strokes to a shape and make it stand out — it’s what separates a shape from the background.

Steps to add strokes to a shape

Select your shape layer. In the toolbar, set Fill to None and Stroke to Color plus your desired Width.

Shape layer with no fill options and color strokes in After Effects
Adjusting stroke width and color for a shape in After Effects

Or twirl down the shape’s contents and adjust width, color, and caps directly.

Composition viewer in After Effects showing a shape layer with visible stroke applied

Preview and tweak until it looks right for your design.

One more thing

For dashed lines, open Stroke → Dashes, click +, and set your dash and gap values to create the pattern you want.

Related how-tos

How to draw masks in After Effects
How to feather a mask in After Effects
How to animate a mask path in After Effects

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