Adobe After Effects shift key not working for shape tool

[Guest]

Hello,

when i want to create equal proportions shape (like square), shift key not working. I want create a square but its becoming rectangular. Even though i use shift.

[Mylenium]

Without any system info, exact AE version and other details like possibly keyboard and input device settings nobody can really tell you much. Could be a bug, but could just as well being something wonky with custom key mappings e.g. on a tablet.

Mylenium

[RobShultz]

Maybe try re-setting preferences. With the app closed hold down shift/cmd/option on Mac or shift/ctrl/alt on Windows and open the app. Allow changes at the app opens and see if this fixes the problem.

[Mike_Abbott · Accepted solution]

Also: Go into your Composition settings and check that you haven't accidently set up a composition with non-square pixels. Look at the 'pixel aspect ratio' menu in the Composition settings dialog.

[Rick Gerard]

Mike has it nailed. If you are using anything other than square pixels or Pixel Aspect Ratio Correction is not turned on everything you create will be distorted. Improperly interpreted footage will be distorted. There is almost no reason at all anymore to be working with non-square pixels because nobody is sending their projects back to videotape, the only format that required non-square pixels.

The only exception would be if you are working on projects that are going to be delivered as Anamorphic. If you are doing that you have to do hour homework and fully understand the workflow and the format or things will get screwed up.