Creating a path to move both text, image layer and masks together

[John Cuevas]

One approach is to use a mask as a path, twirl open your text > Path Options > Path and choose the mask as the path. Copy the mask to the other text layers. You can create a “parent” mask that controls the child masks also, so you only have to adjust one path. Just copy the first mask to the child layers, open up the mask properties, alt-click on “mask path” and pick whip that to your “parent” mask path.

I made an example project that should help you start out: 5641_curvetext.zip

Also, under the obsolete effects is a Path Text effect that will accomplish what you want, but if you use that, you are giving up a lot of control and animation properties that you have with the text tool.

Johnny Cuevas, Editor
Thinkck.com

“I have not failed 700 times. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.”
—THOMAS EDISON on inventing the light bulb.

[Vishesh Arora]

Jeanette

I have some 3 photos over which I added some text, subtracted it so I could see through it and then added a stroke/mask for each individual letter to create the vintage postcard effect where the inside of the text also has a white border.

Can you upload the text image that you have created so that If possible I can give you an alternative method to create that without using Precomps.

Vishesh Arora
3D and Motion Graphics Artist
Films Rajendra

Blog:
https://digieffects.wordpress.com

2011 3D Demo Reel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPgIJU_BR8

[Jeanette Wilkinson]

Hi Vishesh,

Thanks for your reply.

Here is a screen shot of what I have right now…

[Jeanette Wilkinson]

Hi John,

Thank you very much for those suggestions and for the sample project. Looking forward to checking that out!

Thanks very much for your time!

Jeanette

[Jeanette Wilkinson]

Hi John,

I am trying to do something similar to what you described but I’m wondering if it’s possible given that one of my layers is now a pre-comp with all the individual masks for each letter. Would you mind taking a quick look at this screen shot of where I am at and adding any pointers on what I might be doing wrong? I created another line mask in the pre-comp, copied it to the text and told the text layer that the pre-comp was its parent and to follow that path…but not sure how to define the parent mask as such.
screenshot2013-03-13at9.37.59pm.png

Thanks in advance John!

Jeanette

[Ashish Gupta]

Jeanette,

Instead of using masks on the precomp why dont u just duplicate the Text layer with path and use that as an alpha matte …

Here’s a quick example:

5652_curvetext.rar.zip

Ashish Gupta
Motiongraphics artist and 3d generalist

aashi.29nov@gmail.com

[Jeanette Wilkinson]

Hi Ashish,

Thank you very much for preparing the file. It has a “rar” ext however, and doesn’t appear to be recognized by AE.

Would you be able to re-upload the AE file?

Thanks in advance!

Jeanette

[Jeanette Wilkinson]

Hi all,

Just wanted to share where I am at with this. Would appreciate any further suggestions. Given the images are wrapped up in the pre-comp, I wasn’t sure how duplicating the text layer alone would help – as I need to move those with the text as one piece. Therefore, I have attempted to create a Parent Mask in my text layer (first image below) and then started to create an Expression for each letter Mask in the Pre-Comp (second image). However, now my images are simply disappearing. I may be totally off track…with more experience I’m sure I’d have this licked in a few minutes but it’s taking me hours to figure out. I really want to learn however and really appreciate any further feedback 🙂 Thank you so much!

[Jeanette Wilkinson]

Thanks everyone. I have resolved the issue and learned a lot in the process! Jeanette