<p>Shape layers don't have the ability to use a bitmapped fill. What you need to do is use the shape layer as a matte for the fill pattern.</p>

<p>To make a repeating pattern from your image, bring it into the comp as an image layer. Now apply the CC RepeTile effect (it's an included effect with AE in the Stylize folder).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ht25o.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ht25o.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Increase the numbers in the <strong>expand right, expand lef, expand up,</strong> and <strong>expand down</strong> sliders until the pattern fills the space you want it to occupy. You don't have to worry if the original layer is too small, this effect will increase the bounds of the layer beyond its original size.</p>

<p>Make sure the image layer is below your shape layer and set its matte to alpha matte "Shape Layer 1" (or whatever your shape layer is called). If you can't see the matte column hit <kbd>f4</kbd>.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ZDl5b.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ZDl5b.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>If you want the pattern to transform with the shape layer, set it as the parent of the fill layer (or vice versa), so that when you move, scale, or rotate one, the other will follow.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T14:49:43.787Z
Thank you very much, that worked!
J86
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T14:57:05.593Z
is there a way to change the opacity of the pattern?
J86
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-19T06:26:14.410Z
Use the opacity control on the opacity layer. Or the matte layer for that matter. Hit 't' to bring it up.
stib
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-18T06:56:03.567Z
2020-05-18T06:56:03.567Z
stib
<p>In a Shape Layer I have managed to build myself the following shape, which is basically a circle and a rectangle:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/TTAzO.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/TTAzO.png" alt="after effects"></a></p>

<p>I wish to fill that shape with <code>folk-attern.png</code> (repeating) so that it covers the whole thing. Is that doable?</p>

<p>I can't see an option that would allow me to fill the shape with an image!</p>

<after-effects>
Fill a shape layer with a pattern (repeating image) in After Effects
J86
# Fill a shape layer with a pattern (repeating image) in After Effects

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-16)

In a Shape Layer I have managed to build myself the following shape, which is basically a circle and a rectangle:

[![after effects](https://i.sstatic.net/TTAzO.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/TTAzO.png)

I wish to fill that shape with `folk-attern.png` (repeating) so that it covers the whole thing. Is that doable?

I can't see an option that would allow me to fill the shape with an image!

**Tags:** after-effects


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-18. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

Shape layers don't have the ability to use a bitmapped fill. What you need to do is use the shape layer as a matte for the fill pattern.

To make a repeating pattern from your image, bring it into the comp as an image layer. Now apply the CC RepeTile effect (it's an included effect with AE in the Stylize folder).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ht25o.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/ht25o.png)

Increase the numbers in the **expand right, expand lef, expand up,** and **expand down** sliders until the pattern fills the space you want it to occupy. You don't have to worry if the original layer is too small, this effect will increase the bounds of the layer beyond its original size.

Make sure the image layer is below your shape layer and set its matte to alpha matte "Shape Layer 1" (or whatever your shape layer is called). If you can't see the matte column hit `f4`.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ZDl5b.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/ZDl5b.png)

If you want the pattern to transform with the shape layer, set it as the parent of the fill layer (or vice versa), so that when you move, scale, or rotate one, the other will follow.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you very much, that worked!  
> **username_0**: is there a way to change the opacity of the pattern?  
> **username_1**: Use the opacity control on the opacity layer. Or the matte layer for that matter. Hit 't' to bring it up.  

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