Move Solid settings into Solid layer's dropdown

[Tigermovs47]

It is as simple as it sounds: why just don't add solid settings which now are within a separate window ("Layer - Solid settings" or Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+Y) into corresponding layer's dropdown? It would be a lot simpler to access solid's color and size properties as well as keyframe them and add an ability to make gradient fill like it is in Photoshop. And of course, this feature will have a positive impact on the workflow of any user from a beginner to a professional.

[sskaz]

While I think this idea is interesting (I love moving any hidden/buried feature higher up into the main comp interface and reducing the amount of 1990s-era modal dialogs), I don’t think that’s the intended purpose for a Solid. Solids can be used in multiple comps and any changes to it affect all instances, but exposing color and size settings inside a comp/Properties panel would feel more like a change to that single instance.

Shape layers do all of these things you’re asking for with easy controls in the Properties panel. Though with the cavet that Shape layer and Solids are not the same, especially when it comes to various calculations with effects (point coordinates, rasterization, sizing issues, etc).

A minor/half-workaround: I usually toss a Fill effect onto Solid layers so I can easily change their color in the Effect Controls panel instead of the Solid Settings modal dialog, but anytime I need a [rectangular] shape without effects, I just use shape layers instead.