The core design guides for creating custom vector graphics in Left Angle’s Autograph focus on leveraging its powerful, non-destructive Shape Generators and strict structural hierarchy. While traditionally known as a motion graphics and real-time compositing software, Autograph features an advanced parametric 2D vector engine capable of feeding resolution-independent artwork directly into both 2D and 3D pipelines. The Shape Layer Hierarchy
Creating graphics in Autograph relies on a strict top-down structure within a Shape Layer. Understanding this nesting logic is crucial for controlling how individual elements render:
Shape Generator: The root-level container that hosts all geometric data, styles, and behaviors for a layer.
Shape Groups: Functional folders that combine path data with visual styles (like fills or strokes).
Path Groups: Sub-containers inside shape groups that house the actual paths, curves, or default primitive shapes. Key Workflow Guidelines
Separate Theoretical Paths from Styles: Paths in Autograph are initially invisible, serving as “theoretical” mathematical data. To make them visible, you must explicitly apply Fill or Stroke components inside the parent Shape Group rather than the Path Group.
Control the Render Stack: The rendering order is dictated by the layer timeline. Fills, strokes, and shapes placed at the very bottom of the list hierarchy are rendered last, allowing them to overlay and mask elements positioned above them.
Utilize Parametric Transforms: Every individual shape and path group contains its own independent transform parameters. You can translate, scale, or rotate specific elements without altering the master layer or surrounding graphic components.
Animate via Trim Paths: When designing strokes, you can use built-in parametric modifiers like Trim Paths to dynamically animate the start, end, or offset values. This is ideal for recreating “hand-drawn” or self-assembling logo effects. Advanced Vector Styles
When tailoring custom graphics, Autograph separates vector coloring into complex parametric buckets: Vector Style Parameter Functionality & Control Fill Rules
Swaps between Odd-Even (creates internal holes where paths intersect) and Non-Zero (fills the entire outer silhouette, ignoring inner loops). Global Feather
Dynamically softens vector shape contours, fading the geometry smoothly outward. Feather Fall Off
Applies a gamma curve adjustment to the edge feathering, pushing the transparency gradient tighter to the path or further out. Color Space Targeting
Toggles color calculations between the Working Space (for compositing accuracy) and Display Space (for easy Hex-code color-picking).
If you are working on a specific asset or project type, let me know:
Are you designing animated text/logos or static geometric illustrations?
Will these vector graphics remain 2D or be extruded into a 3D space?
I can provide the exact steps or parameters needed to build your asset. Understanding Shape Generators in Autograph