Three Ways of Masking Layers in After Effects (AE CC 2018)

Here is a quick tutorial covering three common methods of creating masks/mattes on layers in After Effects.
1. The first method I cover is using track mattes in AE (alpha and alpha inverted mattes). This method requires two layers, one masking the other but both can be animated independently.
2.The second is using merge paths modes like intersect and exclude intersection to create masks. This method only works on shape layers but is much cleaner in that it only requires one layer and both shapes can be animated independently.
3. The third and final method I cover is using the tradition masking function found in Layer-Mask-New Mask. You can also paste paths into masks by copying keyframes.

[@isedmedia6619]

This dramatically changed my life in seconds

[@pawstrawk]

Thank you for this great short tutorial. Upon watching this, I also discovered a Fourth method, which is arguably the most useful (depending on context). If you want to use one single layer as a "mask" for multiple other layers, you can add an effect preset called "Set Matte" to the other layers. Then, in the "Effect Controls" panel for those layers, you tell the "Set Matte" on each to take matte from the "mask" layer. If that isn't working, try checking the box called "Invert Matte". Basically, it should then work similar to the track matte "Alpha / Alpha Inverted", except that you don't need to duplicate your mask layer and arrange it on top of other layers. You can just use one mask. I hope this helps :)

[@user-bm3rc3os6d]

This is EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you.

[@johnminshall8732]

Thankyou this is also exactly what I needed.

[@jakubbeczanyi]

Thank YOU!

[@souvickdolui9729]

Yeah nice one, but there is a problem it doesn't include the blur effect applied on the mask layer

[@Theoanim]

thank you!

[@skyeputwain8409]

This tutorial is really good! The three different ways of masking was very helpful!

[@afroquaker]

Awesome man, needed this for many projects and i was struggling, but the first method is just what i've been needing

[@lovepengy]

Ayo s/o to you for not only explaining it in a easy to learn way but explaining it in a fast way to get me going fast, thank you

[@marigoldeve7096]

Thank you so incredibly much for this tutorial, it helped with one of my AE project.

[@delitaramza]

Thank you man, This tutorial is really good!

[@jeanblier8571]

It's exactly what I needed, THANKS!

[@pharlow7]

Super helpful and so easy to do. Thanks!

[@Aroo_0]

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOMEBODY THAT REALLY KNOWS HOW THIS WORKS!!!!! SIMPLE!!! YOU HAVE MY TWO THUMBS UP!

[@ivanmartinezdesigner384]

I give you a like because in 10 secs you help me to find what I was looking for, you're the man.

[@Brandonbraun]

exactly, great teacher

[@luciodelacruz87]

same!

[@nappy155]

thanks. i was going nuts trying to do this

[@finn93048]

just a short thanx from me for giving me the exact information I needed so I can continue to edit on my video:)

[@codinggeek5231]

YOU'RE A SAVIOR!

[@FireStarfashion]

Your video immediately solved my issue!

[@cblack5071]

Thank you so much. I went through 20 tutorial videos to get to this solution.

[@Brandonbraun]

super concise video. thank you!

[@sehbaanabbasi]

Its 2022 but I had 2018 version cz of my potato pc
I couldn't find any video old enough so thank you for existing

[@aim__freakz8499]

Straight forward! Thanks a lot:)

[@wildangunawan8237]

Thanks man it helps a lot!

[@shreyasshanmughan4630]

thoank u so much thsi is the best one i am gonna use it thank u soooo much bro

[@TheTranq]

Informative. Thank you

[@xinyuanren4604]

thank u for saving my life....!

[@BakhtiyorKarimov]

Thank you! very useful

[@kuasdigital7945]

thank you, I was a bit confuse about that track matte

[@MarkShawMedia]

Is there a way to simply paint black on the mask with the brush or gradient tool to create isolated transparency and transition fades as in photoshop?

[@kishvistudio]

Thank you mate. Appreciate :)

[@toddvanmeter]

Helpful. Thank you.

[@afterlifelaboratories9920]

What is that repositionanchorpoint tool? I need that! Great video, thanks for 4k version!

[@Asigron]

Thank you sir!

[@anthonyschaefer8511]

Thank you!

[@najlazayed1718]

Thanks a lot 👍

[@meancrank9039]

Can you mask and matte with rasterized images that have transparency?

[@akhiljose3028]

or you can use the blending mode stencil alpha to mask the underlying layers

[@visualsituation]

I like how simple and quick this video was but ive been trying to do a simple mask for three days now and its just not working

[@jezelleanimaddo489]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[@mike1629-g4l]

brilliant

[@dwitelite]

Thanks!

[@MrZuzizmi]

every time I need masking :D

[@clintdvo]

I rate your video. :)

[@bryanfury6264]

Thx mate!

[@gregorio_luque]

Hello! Can I make a mask for a 3D shape or solid layer? I try to do that, but the holes that the masks make then are not represented in the 3D view (or dissapear when I extrude it). What is wrong with this process? Is there a solution for this?

[@baadtaste1337]

I did not understand the last mask - what did it mask? How?

[@hounamao7140]

with the alpha matte thing, what do you do when your shape layer has multiple shape in it. because the alpha matte is only taking one of the shape into account and now the whole layer. It's driving me insane.

[@mika-ey3ni]

my problem is i cant remove the shape layer?? i just wanna mask the eyes to animate but when i click on the screen it opens a shape layer!

[@CrystalWhitlow]

Thank you! Very helpful! What if I have my own shape that I want to mask? I want my layers to look like they are masked within an iPhone screen. Because I'm using the iPhone 11, it's not a perfect rectangle, so I have the shape as a separate png file. Can I make a make with this?

[@Youtube-Channel1]

Crystal Whitlow this might not be the best way, but I used the pen tool to create the mask.

[@ahmedabqarino7999]

that's good , but please for any other upcoming tutorial you would make please make sure to upload your videos in half HD 720 px

[@DromeG60]

It's in Full HD, why would you want 720p?

[@classicartfilms]

thanks for opening my mine

[@s4msky]

thanks

[@2dmusic73]

thanks m8

[@nilselkpo]

gracias papu

[@manuelmarques07]

1:39 the litlle drink kkkkk

[@derekmakila8071]

100

[@aliceu2443]

i dont even know how to add the rectangle

[@thewondersofawesometv1414]

This is fake it will never work

[@actionmoviefrea]

:46 you already lost me. too complicated for the stupid.

[@dix_xib]

Thank you!