<p>Assuming this is a shape layer created with the rectangle tool, you can solve this by going to Shape Layer 1 -> Contents -> Rectangle 1 -> Rectangle Path 1 -> Size, and unchecking the icon that looks like two chain links, and then changing either of the two numeric values independently to change either the width or height of the rectangle, without changing or distorting the roundness.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/cwRLj.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/cwRLj.png" alt="screen shot"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-09T20:50:24.990Z
This change Height or Width in two directions: top and bottom, left and right. How change only bottom direction?
Ivan Sokolov
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-10T02:25:14.640Z
@IvanSokolov set the anchor point y valueto 0. You'll have to adjust the position to make up for this.
stib
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-03-20T22:38:16.027Z
2018-03-20T22:44:39.513Z
2018-03-20T22:44:39.513Z
rbd-dc
<p>Since copying from a youtube video is annoying, here's the expression put in content &gt; transform &gt; anchor point:</p>
<pre><code>box_width = content(&quot;Rectangle 1&quot;).content(&quot;Rectangle Path 1&quot;).size[0];
box_height = content(&quot;Rectangle 1&quot;).content(&quot;Rectangle Path 1&quot;).size[1];

[box_width/2, box_height/-2]
</code></pre>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-11-22T23:24:34.823Z
2020-11-22T23:24:34.823Z
zach
<p>Yeah, it's really annoying that it does that, the shape layer defaults to an anchor point that is centered in the box. The workaround that I use is to use an expression to link the anchor point the box dimensions like this:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/5aHfI.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/5aHfI.png" alt="AE expressions for rectangle shape"></a></p>

<p>Then I think it will work the way you want it to.</p>

<p>You can use the expression by following the steps below and in <a href="https://youtu.be/ivcrBtQifeY" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this screen capture video</a>.</p>

<ol>
<li>Option click to enable expressions for the anchor point of the shape layer.</li>
<li>Pickwhip to the box size to get the expression started.</li>
<li>Make some adjustments so the 2 anchor point values are negative one half of the size values.</li>
</ol>

<p>If anyone knows an easier way to accomplish this, I'd love to learn it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-11T14:24:15.257Z
Can you share the expression and how to use it?
Michael Liebman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-12T01:28:56.940Z
Sure, I option click to enable expressions for the anchor point of the shape layer, then pickwhip to the box size to get the expression started, then make some adjustments so the 2 anchor point values are negative one half of the size values. Maybe it would be easier to see how I did it, I made a screen capture video here: https://youtu.be/ivcrBtQifeY
rbd-dc
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-12T16:56:23.720Z
Very helpful! I added that to the answer.
Michael Liebman
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-11T01:39:55.363Z
2018-05-12T16:56:00.793Z
2018-05-12T16:56:00.793Z
rbd-dc
<p>Property "Size" scale rectangle in two directions, like a mirror. And "Scale" distort roundness.</p>

<p>How scale rectangle in one direction without roundness scale without expressions?</p>

<after-effects>
How scale rectangle in one direction without roundness scale
Ivan Sokolov
# How scale rectangle in one direction without roundness scale

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-16)

Property "Size" scale rectangle in two directions, like a mirror. And "Scale" distort roundness.

How scale rectangle in one direction without roundness scale without expressions?

**Tags:** after-effects


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-03-20. Score: 2

Assuming this is a shape layer created with the rectangle tool, you can solve this by going to Shape Layer 1 -> Contents -> Rectangle 1 -> Rectangle Path 1 -> Size, and unchecking the icon that looks like two chain links, and then changing either of the two numeric values independently to change either the width or height of the rectangle, without changing or distorting the roundness.

[![screen shot](https://i.sstatic.net/cwRLj.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/cwRLj.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: This change Height or Width in two directions: top and bottom, left and right. How change only bottom direction?  
> **username_2**: @IvanSokolov set the anchor point y valueto 0. You'll have to adjust the position to make up for this.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-11-22. Score: 1

Since copying from a youtube video is annoying, here's the expression put in content > transform > anchor point:
box_width = content("Rectangle 1").content("Rectangle Path 1").size[0];
box_height = content("Rectangle 1").content("Rectangle Path 1").size[1];

[box_width/2, box_height/-2]


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-05-11. Score: 0

Yeah, it's really annoying that it does that, the shape layer defaults to an anchor point that is centered in the box. The workaround that I use is to use an expression to link the anchor point the box dimensions like this:

[![AE expressions for rectangle shape](https://i.sstatic.net/5aHfI.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/5aHfI.png)

Then I think it will work the way you want it to.

You can use the expression by following the steps below and in [this screen capture video](https://youtu.be/ivcrBtQifeY).

1. Option click to enable expressions for the anchor point of the shape layer.
2. Pickwhip to the box size to get the expression started.
3. Make some adjustments so the 2 anchor point values are negative one half of the size values.

If anyone knows an easier way to accomplish this, I'd love to learn it.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Can you share the expression and how to use it?  
> **username_1**: Sure, I option click to enable expressions for the anchor point of the shape layer, then pickwhip to the box size to get the expression started, then make some adjustments so the 2 anchor point values are negative one half of the size values. Maybe it would be easier to see how I did it, I made a screen capture video here: https://youtu.be/ivcrBtQifeY  
> **username_4**: Very helpful! I added that to the answer.  

---

