Convert a shape into a mask without auto-trace

Adobe After Effects

Convert a shape into a mask without auto-trace

Posted by Michael Garske on October 16, 2012 at 3:51 pm

I need to convert a shape layer into a mask.

I’m starting with an illustrator file and I then use “Create shapes from vector layer” to get a clean shape. I’ve tried auto-trace to generate masks, but I can’t seem to get good results with that.

I found this documentation for masks and shapes:
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/creating-shapes-masks.html

under the first section CREATING MASKS it says, “Convert a shape path to a mask path by copying the shape’s path to the Mask Path property.”

How do I go about doing this exactly? And is this the simplest way to make a mask from a shape or vector layer?

Thanks in advance for your advice, if I can figure out a way to do this quickly and easily it’s going to be a HUGE help. I’m still new to After Effects so I’m sure this is an easy one for someone out there.

Michael Powers replied 13 years, 2 months ago 4 Members · 6 Replies
6 Replies

Stefan Hinze
October 16, 2012 at 5:52 pm

Hey,

try this:
Illustrator / select Shape or Path / Copy / AE / new Solid / make a mask on it (any mask will do it) / selct the Mask / Paste

Maybe you need to scale to the right size…

Hope this helps!
Roland R. kahlenberg
October 17, 2012 at 1:19 am

It’s quite a simple process. The source for confusion could be that your target layer, should already have a Mask shape. Otherwise, the pasting procedure will not work.

Here’s the workflow –
1) select the Path property from Shape Layer – ensure that you select the word Path, it has a stopwatch icon next to it

2) select the target layer. create a temporary mask if it doesn’t already have one. select the Mask Path property and paste (CTRL+V)

Copying a Mask Path to a Shape Layer’s Path property is accomplished analogously.

HTH
RoRK

Intensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations

Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
& Adobe After Effects ACE/ACI (version 7)
Michael Garske
October 18, 2012 at 2:55 pm

Thanks so much for your help!
Roland R. kahlenberg
October 18, 2012 at 4:35 pm

One important thing to take note with creating Shape Layers with one of the Quick Mask/Shape Tools is to depress the ALT (PC), Option (Mac) key when drawing. This creates paths that are interchangeable between a mask and shape path. Without the ALT/Option modifier key, a Shape Layer’s path is fixed to its designated shape.

The trick is to notice the absence/existence of the Path property for a Shape Layer.

HTH
RoRK

Intensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations

Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
& Adobe After Effects ACE/ACI (version 7)
Michael Powers
February 22, 2013 at 3:16 pm

Great tip about the alt key. Thnx!

Michael Powers
Creative Director, Animation
Crameronline.com
Michael Powers
February 22, 2013 at 3:19 pm

Also try this script from the redefinery:

https://www.redefinery.com/ae/view.php?item=rd_ShapesToMasks

Michael Powers
Creative Director, Animation
Crameronline.com

Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up

Creative Communities of the World Forums