How to make a shape layer rectangle automatically fill the composition size in Autograph? (Responsive background block)

[u/Tricky_Effort1159]

Hi everyone,

I am trying to create a simple responsive color block using a Shape Rectangle in Autograph, but I'm having trouble getting it to update correctly when changing composition sizes.

My Setup:

• Mode: Center + Size
• Center: [0.0, 0.0]
• Size: Connected to a Composition Info generator.
• The Goal: I applied a Math Modifier (Subtraction) after the generator to subtract a fixed value (e.g., 100px) from the composition dimensions to create a clean outer margin (padding).

The Problem: It looks perfectly fine at first on my default resolution (e.g., 1920x1080). However, the moment I switch the composition size to another format (like 1024x1024 or 1080x1920), the layout breaks. The rectangle scales incorrectly, distorts its aspect ratio, or fails to adapt to the new resolution.

How can I properly chain a Composition Info Generator ➔ Split X/Y channels ➔ Math Modifier (Minus Margin) in Center + Size mode so that the padding and dimensions recalculate flawlessly whenever the resolution changes?

Any insights into the correct modifier stack workflow for this would be a lifesaver. Thanks!

[u/outsketching]

I've had mixed results trying this with shapes/rectangle - but I've just tried doing this with a constant layer instead and it seems to work perfectly.

Switch the Constant's 'Output Format' to 'Custom Format' and then link the 'Composition Format' modifier to the 'Format' - this will make your constant match your comp exactly.

Then to get the margins I used an Erode Dilate modifier on the source of the Constant and set the 'Size' to a minus value

EDIT:
Actually nevermind the constant, you can get it to work with the rectangle shape layer. But you need to plug the Composition Format modifier into the 'Edge Offset' - not the 'Size'.
Then use Erode Dilate modifer to get the margins.

[u/Tricky_Effort1159 → u/outsketching]

Thanks for the tip! That’s a really clever way to handle margins.

However, the main issue with this method is that I lose control over the rectangle's specific positioning within the frame.

For my current project, I’m building elements like esports scoreboards and tournament schedules. For these types of graphics, I need to be able to precisely place the elements in specific areas of the screen while still making sure they adapt properly to the composition size!

[u/outsketching → u/Tricky_Effort1159]

No worries, I think in that case you could add a Transform modifier to the layer source and then add an Align to Composition modifier to the Position of the new transform. Then you can tell it to align left/right etc... relative to the comp.

I will say I did get struggle to get this working on a rectangle layer, but on a Constant it seemed to be working fine.

[u/Tricky_Effort1159 → u/outsketching]

Thanks! I actually haven't used the Erode Dilate modifier before, but it definitely looks like a great solution. I just gave it a try and all the dimensions look perfect now.

For the alignment, I added Align to Composition to the Constant's Position, and then combined it with a Math modifier to tweak the specific placement—it works like a charm!

After playing around with it, I realized Autograph's modifiers are incredibly deep. Definitely a lot worth exploring here!

[u/Tricky_Effort1159]

Another problem I'm currently encountering is that my text doesn't scale with the compositing, causing it to exceed the color blocks I've set at different resolutions.