Well, I am not trying to animate the stroke. I am trying to reveal the letters like in this tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJJhL7BLxjo
Animation: "Write-on" Text Effect - YouTube
If I just add a stroke to the shape layer it will go around the shape, won't it?
I suppose I can just create a separate shape layer with a stroke, use trim paths and use THAT as an alpha matte, but I just don't understand why this method isn't working for me.
Well, I am not trying to animate the stroke. I am trying to reveal the letters like in this tutorial: |
revealing = animating a stroke set to reveal.
to reveal a path with the stroke effect the method is this:
1. you create an open path with the pen tool on your layer. the layer does not need to be a shape layer, you can leave it as text.
if it is a shape layer, the pen tool and parametric shapes tool default to creating shapes and not masks. so you will create another instance of a shape group with a stroke and not a mask. you can change the behavior by clicking here when either the pen tool or parametric shapes tool are selected

2. apply the stroke effect. it will use mask 1 by default
3. increase the brush size, make sure it covers all the layer
4. set paint style to "reveal original image"
5. animate start and end to your satisfaction
I suppose I can just create a separate shape layer with a stroke, use trim paths and use THAT as an alpha matte |
yes you can