Skip to main content
scottb43061162
scottb43061162
Participant
July 25, 2017
Question

Using paint tool on transparent layer/rotoscoping

  • July 25, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 6290 views

I want to create a transparent layer so I can add painted effects and images over existing footage - but then remove the original footage and render.  I'm a Photoshop and Illustrator expert but new at After Effects. It seems like a simple thing but not found the answers. Rotoscope tool is too rigid. A simple layer akin to a new layer in Photoshop would be ideal. I want to paint and add new elements so I need the footage for reference - but then need to hide it and render with a transparent background. Thanks very much

    4 replies

    thepixelsmith
    Community Expert
    thepixelsmithCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 27, 2024

    The paint brush tool applies an effect named Paint.

    In the Timeline, reveal the Paint effect and click on the Paint on Transparent switch.

    That should do what you want.

    D
    David30457244bnkr
    Participant
    August 1, 2023

    I think I was trying to do something similar to this comment. This is probably too little too late but under the LAYER >> NEW menu ther is the ability to create a new phot shop layer which will open photoshop with a transparent composition that is already the aspect ratio of your current timeline. Save it and it will create the layer in AE and you can double click it and paint on it in the composition window. 

      J
      JazzBear36339746c4f1
      Participant
      September 25, 2024

      This answer is so close lol, I want to be able to see what Im drawing over the footage Im using, so I can animate over it. 
      When using this method, or the Green solid mentioned above, Im blindly drawing over either a transparent grid or a green solid and have no access to view the layer underneath while I draw in the composition window. 
      Is anyone else facing this issue or just me?

      A
      aaa_6723
      Participant
      April 23, 2025

      Hi there,
      Can you please share the solution for this if you found any? "to be able to see what I'm drawing over the footage I'm using"

      Roei Tzoref
      Roei Tzoref
      Legend
      July 25, 2017
      I want to paint and add new elements so I need the footage for reference

      if you want to paint with a regular brush or soft brush, you have the paint tool in Ae that also has a write-on feature. what kind of elements? maybe you can show us a reference of sketch art of want you are set to accomplish.

      if you want to straight up paint over a video like the work of RUFFMERCY on Vimeo, then you can do what he does - import the video to photoshop and paint on a blank video layer using onion skin and other cool feature that photoshop has for rotosoping on video (and After effects does not)

      there's also this plugin: Paint & Stick 2 - aescripts + aeplugins - aescripts.com

      scottb43061162
      scottb43061162Author
      Participant
      July 25, 2017

      Thanks! Ruffmercy videos are great - what I'm doing is much simpler. I'll look into it. I saw Paint and Stick in a tutorial but didn't realize it was a plug-in. I'll check that out as well. Much appreciated

      Roei Tzoref
      Roei Tzoref
      Legend
      July 25, 2017

      Great. come back if you have more questions or tell us what worked for you. maybe show us too.

      R
      Community Expert
      Rick GerardCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 25, 2017

      The right technique depends on the footage. Here's a simple rotoscope short tutorial that may point you in the right direction.

      You may need to learn about tracking, how to use Mocha, how to create a procedural matte, use Rotobrush... it all depends on the footage. Without seeing the footage or at least a screenshot of a frame from the footage it is pretty hard to point you to the right tools and workflow.

      The UI and the tools in AE are a lot more complex than Photoshop. If you are new I'd start here Basic AE and learn some of the basics first. I've only seen a couple of people in my 20+ years using AE that successfully jumped in to AE without training and accomplished anything.

      scottb43061162
      scottb43061162Author
      Participant
      July 25, 2017

      Thanks - unfortunately it's not straight up rotoscoping - I need to hand draw over the footage - so the rotobrush and mocha isn't helpful

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices