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Participating Frequently
April 24, 2026

Premiere not tracking subject selected with Object Mask Tool

  • April 24, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 222 views

Hello,

I’m using Premiere v 26.2. I am attempting to use the Object Mask Tool to track a moving subject and alter the background behind them. The tool itself works correctly, selecting the subject cleanly and creating a single frame mask that works as expected. However, when I select any of the tracking options, it moves through frame by frame and creates keyframes, but the subject is no longer outlined in the dotted line or the green color (in this instance). After the fact, the mask appears to encompass the entire frame, not just the subject. For example, selecting “change to opacity mask” or moving the mask to the Opacity setting in Effect Controls turns the entire screen black. Adjusting opacity adjusts the visibility of the entire screen. Using the same selection when just one frame is masked, however, works as intended with the subject on a black background. Inverting the single frame version works as it should, but not when tracking has been used. 

 

    4 replies

    DABIDCCODE
    Participant
    May 19, 2026

    I have the same issue now. How can I fix this?

     

    R Neil Haugen
    Legend
    May 19, 2026

    First, have you read all the documentation in the Help files on the new masking system? 

     

    Seriously, if you haven’t, you must to understand how it works now.

     

    If you have … then post back with more details.

    Everyone's mileage always varies ...
    Theodora23120203rcge
    Participant
    May 19, 2026

    I have the same issue, I’m so relieved to see someone else has too, I can’t find anything about how to solve this - did you work it out?

    Ann Bens
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 19, 2026

    Adobe is working on the issue.

    Might want to try out the beta.

    Ann Bens
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 26, 2026
    Participating Frequently
    April 27, 2026

    I appreciate the response. I read that specific article many times before posting this.

    Ann Bens
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 27, 2026

    You need to drag the mask to Opacity then you can track the image.

    R Neil Haugen
    Legend
    April 25, 2026

    Have you read through their entire section on masking in the online Help files?

    Everyone's mileage always varies ...
    Participating Frequently
    April 27, 2026

    I appreciate the response. I read many articles and watched numerous tutorials before posting this. I have matched the workflows on Adobe tutorials step by step and my process fails.