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Any way to wiggle a mask?
When I add a wiggle expression to a mask path I get an error. Same thing if I try to pickwhip the mask path to a null with the wiggle expression on the position.
Any hints?
— TL
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9 Replies
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Are you familiar with track mattes?
You can add the wiggle expression to the properties of the matte. -
Unfortunately, not in this case. I have 3 masks on the same layer and only need to wiggle one of them.
— TL
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This may work.
Make 2 solids.
Add the two stationary masks to one solid.
Add the mask you need to wiggle to the other solid. Apply the wiggle expression to that solid.
Pre-compose both solids. Use that as a track matte. -
Hmmm, well, I was going thru old tutorials today (really slow at work) and tried this one:
https://library.creativecow.net/articles/zwar_chris/tunnel.php
It uses the “Reshape” effect which requires 3 masks on the layer. I don’t think they can be split up.
— TL
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Would wiggling the “mask expansion” property work?
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The mask shape property cannot be changed or accessed using expressions. You either need to find/create a script or to think of a different way to achieve what you want…
If you want the mask to maintain its shape and wiggle, then put it on another solid, pre-compose it and try auto-tracing the pre-comp layer through the entire workspace (not just for the current frame). You can then copy the keyframes from this mask path and apply them on your original layer.
If you want the shape of the mask to wiggle (the actual lines that compose the mask) then try using the Turbulent Displace effect on a new solid with your mask applied, animate the evolution, pre-compose and use the auto-trace technique outlined above.
Darby Edelen
Lead Designer
Left Coast Digital
Santa Cruz, CA -
Starting with a Shape Layer then adding the ‘wiggle paths’ option would produce a similar effect to the Turbulent Displace technique. You will, however, still need to auto-trace…
I’m not sure why this function is currently only available for shape-paths and not for masks, but it would certainly be nice to see this feature added some day…
DP
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With this clever little Script it will only take a few minutes. Download the script “maskPointsExpression” from here:
https://www.nabscripts.com/Downloads/downloads_en_2.php?id=5#maskPointsExpression
Click on “maskPointsExpression” and download, or heck download em all. Put the jsx file in your AE script folder, then select the mask (one of three for your layer, if I understand) and File>Run Script>maskPointsExpression.
You’ll get a control panel. Check the Position Expression radio button and type in you wiggle expression in the box that appears.
On the right click “Calculate” so the script knows how many vertices in the mask.
Check the “All” box to apply the expression to all vertices (Custom for single vertices, that way gets complicated).
Click OK.
Sit back and Wait. AE can’t put an expression on mask shape or vertices, so the script calculates the expression, converts to keyframes for each frame (or every 5 frames if you added to that box), so it takes awhile. Anyway…
You’ll now have a new mask in the layer, named Animated Mask that does what you want.
Lots of cool scripts at that site.
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Thanks for all the pointers!
— TL
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