Adobe After Effects

Masks

Masks are a simple means of cropping an asset. Unlike mattes, masks obey an asset’s Transform controls, so they move where the asset goes.

Creating a Mask

With a video or image selected, you can either use the Shape tool to draw a mask in a preset shape, or use the Pen tool to draw your own mask, using same rules as outlined in “Creating Shapes with the Pen Tool” (page 245). Masks paths are always Bezier curves, even if you use the Shape tool.

Want to mask a shape layer? On a shape layer, the Shape and Pen tools normally add another shape. You can have them draw a mask instead by selecting this icon in the Toolbar before you draw. ...