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Known Participant
November 15, 2019
Question

How to reveal an object ?

  • November 15, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 769 views

Hi,

 

I did before text reveal but now I am trying to reveal little by little an object and I am doing masking but i feel this is not the best technique. Any tips? 

 

 

thank you,

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Community Expert
November 16, 2019

You need to spend some serious time with the learning resources that you can find in the Learn section of the After Effects Home Screen or on the AE product page. Shape layers are created with the pen tool (g), or with the Parametric shape tools: Rectangle, Ellipse, Polystar, and others. 

 

Here's a link to the learning resources: Learn AE

Community Expert
November 15, 2019

I would start a shape layer, then create a path with a stroke only that you can animate using trim paths. The path is drawn so you cover the parts of the image that you want to reveal. Then you apply Trim Paths to the shape layer and animate the path to reveal the layer below. The last step is to set that shape layer as a track matte. 

 

You'll find more info here: Learn AE

Known Participant
November 15, 2019

Hi Rick,

 
Thank you, I am not a master yet at after effects and I might need clarification to walk me through it.
 
1) How to create a path stroke? which tool to use?
2) When you say the shape layer, it means to have a square let's say in front of the"gift" then create a path with stroke then trim path all on same layer?
 
Trying to divide all the mini-steps because I am not familiar with Trim Path and discovering it 🙂
Legend
November 15, 2019

Depends what you mean by "little by little".

 

If you want the area inside the mask to gradually appear starting in the middle, then just keyframe the mask's Expansion parameter, going from a negative number towards zero.

 

If you want the area inside the mask to appear in random pieces, then you can luminance mask your already-masked layer with a second layer that contains something like a fractal noise effect, and keyframe its brightness slider.

Known Participant
November 15, 2019

Hi Dave,

 
The idea was to reveal the bow then the gift around and then inside. Does it make sense?