A non-contacting method of forming an alignment layer on a substrate used in liquid crystal displays which includes the steps of cleaning a substrate surface, disposing a solution having a prepolymer, such as polyamic acid or a resin and a curing agent, and solvent on the substrate surface, evaporating the solvent, and positioning an ultraviolet light source proximally near the substrate surface. A linear polarizer is positioned between the ultraviolet light source and the substrate surface. Ultraviolet light is projected through the polarizer onto the substrate surface to simultaneously molecularly align the polymer segments as the prepolymer is polymerized to form an alignment layer on the substrate. Adjusting the direction of polarization and the angle of incidence of the ultraviolet light source allows for generation of an alignment layer with a corresponding pre-tilt angle.