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KatJot_13
Participating Frequently
March 9, 2026
Question

Create shapes from vector layer not working

  • March 9, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 57 views

I work for a company with specific brand elements to use. These has been in my library for years at this point, added as vectors. I was always able to drag them into AE and create shapes out of them using the “create shapes from vector layer” option. 

For a month now, whenever I do try to do that, all of the shapes turn into a square - not leaving any traces of the original (sometimes intricate) design, no matter how deep I try to dig into AE.

I tried installing an older version of AE, tried reinstalling the new one - nothing seems to be working. I did not edit the library in any way, the elements are fully vector/working perfectly fine in all other adobe apps. 

I end up having to import the shapes I already created out of the same elements from my previous AE files, which affects my productivity. Any advice on how to tackle that? 

1 reply

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OliviaHazel
Participating Frequently
March 9, 2026

Quick things to try:

  • Open the asset in Illustrator first, then save it as an .AI file and import that into AE. Then run Create Shapes from Vector Layer. This fixes it most of the time.

  • In Illustrator, try Object → Expand / Expand Appearance before saving.

  • Check if there’s a clipping mask and release it.

  • In AE, toggle Continuously Rasterize (sun icon) before converting.

    K
    KatJot_13Author
    Participating Frequently
    March 10, 2026

    These are valid advices, thank you. They are all added to the library as .AI files btw, and open as such in AE. My main question is, why did it work before and is not workng now? What changed? 

    K
    KatJot_13Author
    Participating Frequently
    March 24, 2026

    @nishu_kush Hello, so sorry for the late reply! Thank you so much for trying to research this issue. This has been happening with all vector .ai media files in the library except for one, which is a white version of a logo. Ironically, it still happens with other versions of the same logo added to the CC libraries. 

    I am on Windows 11. 

    As I am the only graphic designer here at my local branch there was sadly no option for me to share the library with anyone. Additionally, I noticed that saving each element from the library as an .ai file and dropping it into AF resolves the issue. To my understanding, this has to be a conflict between AF and CC libraries. For now, I decided to stick to using local AI/SVG files. While this is not a full workaround it just allows me to work more or less effectively. 

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