Drop Shadow Multi

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How to use the script

Always check code before running it on your computer. Even basic scripts like this one. If you’re not a developer, ask an LLM like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to verify it for you.

Option 1: Install to your AE Folder

Download and install the below .jsx file in your After Effects Script folder. You can then run it using the scripts menu, or by using a launcher like Quick Menu 3.

Option 2: Adapt the script yourself

Alternatively copy the code below and develop your own version. If you’re not a developer you can do this easily with an LLM like ChatGPT.

Drop Shadow Multi.jsx2.0KB

/*
This script generates a random color and applies 
it to the fill property of the selected shape 
layer in Adobe After Effects. It ensures that 
each selected shape layer gets a unique color.
*/


// Get the selected layers
var selectedLayers = app.project.activeItem.selectedLayers;

if (selectedLayers.length > 0) {
    app.beginUndoGroup("Apply Drop Shadow");

    // Convert selectedLayers to an array and sort by index in ascending order
    var layers = [];
    for (var i = 0; i < selectedLayers.length; i++) {
        layers.push(selectedLayers[i]);
    }
    layers.sort(function(a, b) {
        return a.index - b.index;
    });

    // The topmost layer (lowest index) is the first in the sorted array
    var topLayer = layers[0];
    var controlLayerName = topLayer.name;

    // Apply drop shadow effect to the control layer
    var dropShadow = topLayer.property("Effects").addProperty("Drop Shadow");
    dropShadow.property("Opacity").setValue(40);
    dropShadow.property("Softness").setValue(250);
    dropShadow.property("Direction").setValue(0);
    dropShadow.property("Distance").setValue(0);

    // Apply drop shadow effect to other layers and link properties to the control layer
    for (var i = 1; i < layers.length; i++) {
        var layer = layers[i];
        var layerDropShadow = layer.property("Effects").addProperty("Drop Shadow");
        layerDropShadow.property("Opacity").expression = 'thisComp.layer("' + controlLayerName + '").effect("Drop Shadow")("Opacity")';
        layerDropShadow.property("Softness").expression = 'thisComp.layer("' + controlLayerName + '").effect("Drop Shadow")("Softness")';
        layerDropShadow.property("Direction").expression = 'thisComp.layer("' + controlLayerName + '").effect("Drop Shadow")("Direction")';
        layerDropShadow.property("Distance").expression = 'thisComp.layer("' + controlLayerName + '").effect("Drop Shadow")("Distance")';
    }

    app.endUndoGroup();
} else {
    alert("No layers selected. Please select at least one layer.");
}