Experts question: use alpha of mask on another layers?

[Jameson Schultz]

On the layer you want to be alpha’d, look for the blending modes drop down, next to it should be another drop down box with aplha and luma options. Try one of those options.

If you can’t find the blending modes and you do have the 5 check boxes column (motion blur, 3d, etc.) click on the top of that column and the it will change. It’s kind of vague, but without AE open I’m playing by memory.

~Hope this helps~
Jameson

[Tuomok]

Thanks, but track matte doesn’t do the trick for me…

I know track matting well, but the thing I’m really looking for here is kind of “trackmatting several layers at once”…

I’m afraid this is not as simple it looks at first… I’m an experienced AE user and have been struggling to get this to work for days now.

So the question here really is:
how can I make a mask to affect multiple layers without precomping?

A big thanks for everybody who is willing to try this out…

–Tuomo Kulomaa
Creative / Art director
Channel Four Finland

[Deadittex]

I discovered this while getting pissy about the layer not dupicating when I told it too .. Turns out the Comand D was duplicating a highlighted mask within the layer instead… (Had like 30 of the same mask)

try comand D to duplicate the original mask, until the mask is over laying – then cut Command X (as if you didn’t know) the mask out of the layer highlight the next layer you want the mask on and paste . . . repeat until all the layers you want the mask on now have it.. then simply precomp them all together and add them to the other layers without the mask . . . If that doesn’t work buy some jolt cola, and get ready for a long night.