Moving A Mask Randomly on the Y Axis Only

Adobe After Effects

Moving A Mask Randomly on the Y Axis Only

Posted by Steven Hilton on January 5, 2013 at 5:20 pm

Ok, so I’m trying to randomly move a mask up and down over some text. The desired outcome is that of an audio equalizer. So the text will appear to jump up and down from the bottom with the music. The text is chopped up already, so I’m hoping moving a mask over it will give me the desired effect. Unfortunately things like “wiggle” don’t work on mask paths.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Vishesh Arora replied 13 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 6 Replies
6 Replies

Roland R. kahlenberg
January 5, 2013 at 8:46 pm

You can use the Text Tool’s Wiggly Selector to animate just the y-position of the text. By animating the min and max values, you will be able mimic what you want with some control.

HTH
RoRK

Intensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations

Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
& Adobe After Effects ACE/ACI (version 7)
Steven Hilton
January 5, 2013 at 9:00 pm

The Layer was created in Photoshop so it’s not actually a text layer. Sorry for making that unclear.
Roland R. kahlenberg
January 5, 2013 at 9:16 pm

How are you intending to have the mask affect the position of each character?

Cheers
RoRK

Intensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations

Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
& Adobe After Effects ACE/ACI (version 7)
Steven Hilton
January 5, 2013 at 9:18 pm

It won’t effect the position, it will just cover up different parts of the layer at any given time. That way if I just move it up and down the pieces of the letter will appear to be jumping up and down.
Roland R. kahlenberg
January 5, 2013 at 9:22 pm

I can’t visualize what you’re intending to do. Perhaps you can do up a couple of stills for us to have a better idea of what you want.

Cheers
RoRK

Intensive mocha & AE Training in Singapore and Other Dangerous Locations

Imagineer Systems (mocha) Certified Instructor
& Adobe After Effects ACE/ACI (version 7)
Vishesh Arora
January 6, 2013 at 7:02 am

Steven

Instead of using Masks, Use a White Solid or white Shape Layer and set it to Track Matte(Alpha Inverted) for text layer.

You can apply the wiggle expression to Y coordinate only by linking it to a slider control.

Also parent Matte Layer to the Text layer if text layer is itself moving.

See the example:
5164_wiggleontheyaxisofmatte.zip

Vishesh Arora
3D and Motion Graphics Artist
Films Rajendra

Blog:
https://digieffects.wordpress.com

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

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