Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this lesson, you will learn the basics of how to use Layer Masks which are used to control the visibility or transparency of specific parts of a layer. Layer Masks are essential for compositing, creating vignettes, revealing or hiding elements, and many other visual effects in After Effects.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Masks
1. Definition: Masks are paths or outlines used to show or hide parts of a layer.
2. Analogy: Like cutting shapes out of paper, revealing content inside the mask and hiding content outside.
2. Creating Masks
1. Using Shape Tools:
1. Select the layer first, then use a shape tool to create a mask.
2. Indicators: A little square with a circle indicates creating a mask.
2. Using Pen Tool:
1. Select the layer first, then use the pen tool to create a mask path.
2. Click to add points (vertices) to create the mask path.
3. Close the path by clicking on the first vertex to complete the mask.
3. Mask Properties
1. Mask Path:
1. Tap 'M' to show mask paths; tap 'MM' to show mask properties.
2. Bounding box and path handles for manipulation.
2. Blend Modes (Mask Modes):
1. Default mode is "Add": reveals content inside the mask path.
2. "Subtract" mode: hides content inside the mask path, revealing content below.
3. Inverting masks using the 'Inverted' checkbox (one mask at a time).
4. Animating Masks
1. Animating mask properties using the stopwatch to add keyframes.
2. Example: Creating a simple mask path animation.
1. Adding keyframes for mask paths at different times.
2. Using the selection tool to adjust mask vertices for animation.
5. Practical Examples
1. Text Animation on a Path:
1. Create text and use the pen tool to create an open mask path.
2. Use path options to align text along the mask path.
3. Animate the text following the path by adjusting margin properties.
2. Circular Text Path:
1. Create a mask using the ellipse tool on a text layer.
2. Align text to follow the circular mask path.
3. Adjust text size and use margin properties for animation.
6. Advanced Mask Techniques
1. Showing and Hiding Text:
1. Create a mask using the rectangle tool on a text layer.
2. Animate mask path to create a typewriter-style text reveal.
3. Reverse the animation by copying and pasting keyframes and adjusting timing.
7. Additional Tips
1. Toggling Mask Visibility:
1. Use the "Toggle Mask and Shape Path Visibility" icon below the comp window.
2. Adjusting Mask Handle Size:
1. Go to settings: Preferences ... General ... Path Point and Handle Size.
3. Soloing Layers:
1. Use the solo button to focus on a specific layer and see transparency effects.
In this lesson, you will learn the basics of how to use Layer Masks which are used to control the visibility or transparency of specific parts of a layer. Layer Masks are essential for compositing, creating vignettes, revealing or hiding elements, and many other visual effects in After Effects.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Masks
1. Definition: Masks are paths or outlines used to show or hide parts of a layer.
2. Analogy: Like cutting shapes out of paper, revealing content inside the mask and hiding content outside.
2. Creating Masks
1. Using Shape Tools:
1. Select the layer first, then use a shape tool to create a mask.
2. Indicators: A little square with a circle indicates creating a mask.
2. Using Pen Tool:
1. Select the layer first, then use the pen tool to create a mask path.
2. Click to add points (vertices) to create the mask path.
3. Close the path by clicking on the first vertex to complete the mask.
3. Mask Properties
1. Mask Path:
1. Tap 'M' to show mask paths; tap 'MM' to show mask properties.
2. Bounding box and path handles for manipulation.
2. Blend Modes (Mask Modes):
1. Default mode is "Add": reveals content inside the mask path.
2. "Subtract" mode: hides content inside the mask path, revealing content below.
3. Inverting masks using the 'Inverted' checkbox (one mask at a time).
4. Animating Masks
1. Animating mask properties using the stopwatch to add keyframes.
2. Example: Creating a simple mask path animation.
1. Adding keyframes for mask paths at different times.
2. Using the selection tool to adjust mask vertices for animation.
5. Practical Examples
1. Text Animation on a Path:
1. Create text and use the pen tool to create an open mask path.
2. Use path options to align text along the mask path.
3. Animate the text following the path by adjusting margin properties.
2. Circular Text Path:
1. Create a mask using the ellipse tool on a text layer.
2. Align text to follow the circular mask path.
3. Adjust text size and use margin properties for animation.
6. Advanced Mask Techniques
1. Showing and Hiding Text:
1. Create a mask using the rectangle tool on a text layer.
2. Animate mask path to create a typewriter-style text reveal.
3. Reverse the animation by copying and pasting keyframes and adjusting timing.
7. Additional Tips
1. Toggling Mask Visibility:
1. Use the "Toggle Mask and Shape Path Visibility" icon below the comp window.
2. Adjusting Mask Handle Size:
1. Go to settings: Preferences ... General ... Path Point and Handle Size.
3. Soloing Layers:
1. Use the solo button to focus on a specific layer and see transparency effects.
