Shade Update

1.4.0 (8 May 2026):

• Shade is now working in Photoshop as a UXP panel (CEP panels in Photoshop has phased out in favor of UXP panels).
  This means there are two installers:
  – a CEP panel for After Effects and Illustrator
  – a UXP panel for Photoshop
  This also means that macOs users can use Shade in Photoshop again.
• In Photoshop you can apply colors to shape layers or text layers.
• You can now remove a fill or stroke in Illustrator using the “Toggle Fill or Stroke Color” button, which wasn’t previously available.
• In AE, if you apply a color while a non-color property without child color property is selected, Shade now applies the color automatically to all color-properties of that layer.
  It sounds complicated but let me explain it with an example:
  Problem: if you move a layer just before applying a color, the color doesn’t apply. That is because AE auto-selects the Position property.
  Previously you had to deselect the layer then select it again in order to apply a color. Now, Shade detects the selected property is not suitable and applies the color to the layer anyway.
• Fixed a bug that didn’t let you change an effect color to a text layer in AE if the layer was selected.
• Update to the licensing framework. You will have to re-enter your license again.

1.3.10 (1 November 2025):

• This update ensures full compatibility with the latest versions of After Effects, Illustrator, and Photoshop.

1.3.9 (19 January 2025):

• Umlaut characters (ä ö ü) can now be used to name colors, groups and palettes.
• License Management improved.

1.3.8 (9 December 2024)

• Json2 included in the JSX file.

1.3.7 (5 December 2024)

• The color button size can be increased to a maximum of 60px.

1.3.6 (4 December 2024)

• Fixed an issue that prevented Shade from loading when AE started.

1.3.5 (24 August 2024)

• Fixed a couple of bugs related to opening Shade without selecting a color palette (icons not showing, drag-and-drop disabled).
• Fixed a bug in the Find and Replace tool that triggered an alert asking whether to include precomps in the search.

1.3.4 (2 June 2024)

• Fixed a bug when adding a color to a portion of text in After Effects.
• Applying a color to a text layer from the timeline no longer expands the layer.

1.3.3 (26 May 2024)

• Fixed a bug when adding a color using the Illustrator Color Picker, which caused a color shift.

1.3.2 (26 May 2024)

• Fixed bug in creating a new palette from the Library panel.

1.3.1 (23 May 2024)

• Fixed shortcut combination misbehavior for macOS users in Illustrator and Photoshop.

1.3.0 (22 May 2024)

• ‘Add colors from selection’ now runs on all layers (including locked ones).
• Option to search inside precomps when a precomp is selected.
• Colors align better when no color groups are present.
• Light theme for Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Option to include/exclude hashtag when copying hex code.
• New shortcuts: Ctrl/Alt + click (AI/PS) copies hex code to clipboard.
• Fixed typo in Settings panel (macOS).
• New “Show all hex color codes” panel.
• Minor UI improvements.

1.2.7 (8 May 2024)

• Library Panel now uses the OS default file explorer.
• Hovering over minimized color groups now shows group names.

1.2.6 (18 April 2024)

• New Swap Fill and Stroke function.
• New Toggle Fill and Stroke function.
• Find and Replace works on entire comp or current time.
• New Randomizer Tool.
• New Overflow Menu in After Effects with drag and drop.
• Modifier Keys for Fill/Stroke work everywhere.
• Updated shortcut combinations.
• Improved text color application based on AE version.
• Applying color to gradient replaces it with solid.
• Toggle Fill and Stroke works with gradients.
• “Add colors from selection” auto-groups many colors.
• “Add colors from text” order fixed.
• No update notification if local version > published version.
• New license management (remove device licenses).
• You can change a solid source color too.
• Updated context and flyout menus.
• UI updated for new buttons.
• Free version UI updated.
• Cleaned redundant code.
• Faster Library/Palette access via Node.js.
• “Open palette file” option in Library panel.
• Node.js for file creation/saving.
• Copy-to-clipboard now has visual feedback.
• Color drag-and-drop shows drop target.
• Added Ctrl+click option to add Fill or Tint (see Settings).
• Vertical scrolling when Overflow Menu visible.

1.0.7 (16 September 2023)

• Fixed a bug that prevented panel from loading.
• Fixed license key conflict between Shade and Kease.

1.0.6 (15 September 2023)

• New color-click behavior options in AE and AI.
• Added “Apply to Fill Effect” option (right-click or Ctrl/Opt+click).
• Updated folder and file management.
• You can duplicate colors.
• Fixed alert when changing Library default path.

1.0.5 (12 July 2023)

• Find and Replace runs on all layers if nothing selected.
• Option to include selected precomps.
• Shortcut to add selected color to Find and Replace.

1.0.4 (26 June 2023)

• Fixed bug in new Find and Replace function.
• Gradient-to-fill/stroke replacement keeps properties and keyframes.

1.0.3 (21 June 2023)

• Fixed: Find and Replace didn’t work with 8bpc projects.
• Fixed bug when renaming palettes or colors.

1.0.2 (20 June 2023)

• Fixed Illustrator launch bug (missing Shade directory).
• Fixed rename cancel bug (name changed to “null”).

1.0.1 (18 June 2023)

• Added “Find and Replace” tool.
• You can now name colors.
• Fixed bugs when applying colors to text layers.
• “Add Colors from Selection” works with Text Source and keyframes.
• “Add Colors from Text” merged with “Add Colors from Selection.”
• Fixed bug when adding colors to groups.

1.0.0 (11 June 2023)

• Library and Settings now open in separate windows.
• Info bar opens Library and checks for palette changes.
• Groups support drag and drop.
• Added text-based color input.
• Option to minimize interface when working with groups.
• Applying color to gradient replaces it with fill/stroke.
• Improved license management.
• Updated menus and icons.
• Adjustable color button size.
• Text layers now use Fill effect for color.
• Various cosmetic fixes.