shape layers gradient fill – “handles”- quick key to see them?

[Eric Rothman]

Phillipe nailed it. The gradient fill needs to be inside the same group as your shape path.

When you create a gradient fill from scratch, it’s placed in the shape layer hierarchy depending on what is selected. So say you create a shape layer with the ellipse tool. You’d have by default the following:

>Contents
>>Ellipse 1
>>>Ellipse Path 1
>>>Stroke 1
>>>Fill 1
>>>Transform: Ellipse 1

Here’s the tricky part. Say you go to add a gradient fill or stroke to this. If you have the “Ellipse 1” group (or anything inside it) selected, it will be created inside said group. In this case, you’ll be able to see the gradient handles. No problem. However, if you happen to have “Contents” or a different layer or nothing selected, the gradient will be created outside of the “Ellipse 1” group and the handles will be invisible. Super tricky! To fix, just drag the gradient inside the “Ellipse 1” hierarchy and you’ll be good to go.

This seems like a bug/oversight on Adobe’s part. Would love to see this behave differently in the future.

[Andrew Cheung]

It’s as Phillipe has said, the gradients need to be in the same group as the the path.
I’ve found in the most recent version of AE that the gradients are working pretty consistently. If you already had a gradient fill or stroke, highlight your shape under ‘Contents’ and pressing V for the selection tool. The gradient should pop up.

[Harry Hoag]

I’m convinced there is no consistent way to make them appear. The only thing that works consistently for me is to click on everything a million times. Get frustrated, give up. Come back later in the day when you’ve calmed down a bit and they’ll appear haha

It’s like trying to remember something you were just about to say, you won’t be able to do it on the spot, but it’ll pop in to your head later when you’re doing something else.

[Max Haller]

Thanks brian I’ve had this issue too and could never pin it down

[Harun Mursel]

eureka ☺

Open the contents from under the shape layer, then select the gradient fill with path and group it (Win, Ctrl + G). Now when you select grandient fill, you will see the control bar.

[Isabelle Lassalvy]

While having gradient fill selected in my shape and Clicking region of interest (bottom of the comp window) handles appears.

[Nitin Burli]

Hi Bart,

I know it’s a little too late, but in case you haven’t figured it out yet, you’ll get the gradient contraols when you have the ancho controls enabled (Y).

[Philippe Phicata]

maybe this is the real solution:

https://youtu.be/3neS3NCItFc?t=331

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[Kevin Reiner]

Finally, an answer that works for me. One of my biggest headaches ever since they introduced shapes. How is this still a bug?

[Bartosz Ilkowski]

Thanks! This was helpful. I always forget that the Selection Tool must be active to show the handles of the gradient.