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Participant
February 25, 2025
Question

Moving multiple masks on separate layers in sync

  • February 25, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 178 views

I'm trying to create a grid where I can control each square to create an animated tiled mosaic, almost like 8-bit pixel art. I need each square on the grid to be it's own pre-comped layer and masked from an existing image of tiles that cycle between different colours, but they also have individual textures so it can't just be replicated.

I've created a full row of squares, each on its own layer with its own mask. As I duplicate this row of layers, I want to avoid moving each mask individually to save time and be more precise. I want to select an entire row of masks on seperate layers and move them down together all at once, and then repeat until I get to the bottom of my grid. I thought I would do this with Track Mattes, as I could easily copy and paste the shape layers, select the whole row move them down together, but I realized I need to use masks so I can select each square and manipulate it later.

 

Is this possible or am I going to have to move every single mask in the grid individually?

1 reply

Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
Community Manager
Community Manager
February 25, 2025

Hi @michael_6962,

Thanks for the question. Welcome to the forum. Have you tried creating a full row of squares, each with its own mask and then precomposing the row? After, you could duplicate the precomp and then offset the duplicates. If you need to manipulate the individual squares later, you can always convert the precomps back to layers by opening each one and copy/pasting them back into the comp. Would that work for you? Let me know.

 

Thanks,
Kevin

 

Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community and Engagement Strategist – Adobe Pro Video and Audio
Participating Frequently
February 26, 2025

If you want to move multiple masks on separate layers together in After Effects without adjusting each one manually, the best approach is to use Pre-compositions or Parenting. First, select all the layers with masks that need to move together. You can either pre-compose them (right-click → Pre-compose) so they act as a single unit, or use parenting by selecting all the layers and parenting them to a null object (Layer → New → Null Object). Moving the null will move all the masks together. Another option is to use Track Mattes, where you create a single shape layer as a mask and apply it to multiple layers using Alpha or Luma Matte, making adjustments much easier. These methods will save you time and ensure precision in your grid animation.