Can I use trim paths on masks?

[Francisco29178068kqww]

We are trying to make a cool text reveal that looks like its been done using a trim path, the only problem is that we are using a specific font that i would find difficult to replicate using the pen tool :c

My boss suggested using masks to replicate the effect but so far its not looking that great at its very time consuming, I wonder if there is a way to create a trim path animation as a mask for the letter? maybe that way it would be quicker

[Todd_Morgan]

You can convert the text to outline?

[thepixelsmith]

The problem you will probably face is that trip paths really only works well on shapes that are made using strokes. Most text is actually filled shapes even when converted to a shape layer.
The traditional way of doing a write-on effect (which is what Trim paths does) is to draw masks over your layer and then use the stroke effect to reveal teh layer content.
This is a tutorial on that technique: https://youtu.be/yy0CncgF1wU

[Rick Gerard]

I would use this workflow. 

1. Select the text layer and choose Layer/Create/Create Shapes from Text (unless you are sure you always will have access to the font)
2. Add a new shape layer called Mask Matte above the Text layer and start drawing multiple stroked paths to hide crossing lines in your text
3. Add Trim/Paths/Individually to the Mask Matte/Contents
4. Create a new shape layer called Reveal Matte above the Text Shape layer
5. Draw a single path over the center of the characters, following the path a pen would follow
6. Add Trim Paths to the Reveal Matte/Contents layer and Animate the End Property from zero to 100 over a few seconds
7. Set the Reveal Matte layer as a track matte for the Text
8. Add Set Matte to the Text and choose the Mask Matte layer as the source, then enable Invert Matte
9. Animate Trim Paths on the Mask Matte layer to reveal the hidden parts of the crossing lines in the text by animating the end property from 100 to Zero

As long as the widths and starting points of the strokes used in the Mask Matte layer are in the right spot, and the path in the Reveal Matte layer is wide enough and carefully positioned, you should be able to create something like this in about 10 minutes:

I am showing the keyframes for the Mask Matte layer, how the layer looks, then the result. That should get you started. I use this technique all the time. For complex shapes, I sometimes animate the Mask Matte paths and use a fill instead of a stroke (the source layer for Set Matte). You can do the same thing using an animated shape instead of Trim Paths for the Reveal Matte track matte layer if the artwork you are trying to reveal is more suited to an animated path than a single line with Trim Paths applied.

I hope this helps.