Advanced lightning following a path

[Bradley24019682dp0g]

Hi Gang, 

First time posting, and have very amateur-level skills, so hoping it's not an obvious one! I've been using the Advanced Lightning effect and getting some great results but have stumped myself on how to get it to follow a path. 

For example, I want the lightning to run along some wires, and the only thing I can imagine is creating a mask above and below the wires, and editing the alpha obstacle so it squeezes through the crevice. It feels like I must be missing a much easier solution, and would love to know if anyone had a better idea! 

Cheers,
Brad

[Mylenium]

Nope, you're not missing anything. there is no built-in functionality for that. Depending on the situation it may make sense to create a straight lightning bolt and bend it into place e.g. with Bezier Warp or other distortion effects.

Mylenium

[Rick Gerard]

You might look at Saber Plug-in - Video Copilot. It can use masks. None of my other 3rd part lightning effects use masks. Saber is free.