Skip to main content
R
RuesterProd
Known Participant
March 21, 2009
Answered

Convert Mask path to shape path?

  • March 21, 2009
  • 3 replies
  • 186493 views
Can I convert a Mask path into a shape path in AECS4?

I am running into a problem with resizing my layers - I am animating a signature, and part of it was done as a shape, part of it as a mask that 'reveals' a signature (someone else created the original) when I try to enlarge the whole thing, only the shape portion enlarges without artifacting (vector) the mask portion gets blocky and ugly if enlarged.
    Correct answer Mylenium
    Copy&Paste. Jeff Almasol also created a script to automate this when you need to do it en masse. Check his site redefinery.com and Adobe Exchange. Be aware, though, that parametric shape layer items like ellipse, star etc cannot be converted.

    Mylenium

    3 replies

    A
    Alx0
    New Participant
    March 8, 2019

    I found if I copy the Mask Path directly and paste it on to the Path of the shape, it will convert that mask into a shape. *Did it on AE CC 2018 but maybe it translates to other versions...

    1. Create a new empty Shape layer

    2. Use the pen tool on the Shape layer. Click once (anywhere on the comp) to add a "path" attribute on that Shape Layer.

    3. Go to your layer with the mask that you want to copy.

    4. Drill down into the mask to reveal the Mask Path (it's the attribute with the stopwatch).

    5. Copy the Mask Path directly

    6. Go back to the new Shape layer and drill down into the Contents > Shape 1 > Path > Path 1. (The inner most attribute with the stopwatch).

    7. Paste directly onto that Path attribute.

      J
      Julian Diamandis
      New Participant
      April 16, 2020

      This is still a bit of a mystery to me, I don't think I've ever got this to work.

       

      So I just want to paste some paths via the clipboard from a photoshop shape layer into an existing shape layer (on a path section by stopwatch) Only seems to mask the layer. 

      R
      Rick Gerard
      Community Expert
      October 16, 2020

      If you have anything that can be copied and pasted to a mask path all you have to do is make sure no layers are selected, select the pen tool, click anywhere to start a path, then paste. It works every time. If you have a mask path or a motion path or a shape path and you want to make sure that you copy it perfectly set a keyframe and then Cut the keyframe you just created (Ctrl/Cmnd + x) then select the pen tool, click to start a mask on a layer or a new shape layer and paste (Ctrl/Cmnd + v). It works every time. Just selecting a mask or motion path doesn't always work. Setting a keyframe, then cutting it and pasting to a new path that you have just started always works.

      P
      plavoie_kaffein
      New Participant
      July 1, 2015

      Hi there!

      It's been a while since this was posted, but for anyone interested, here's how I made it work:

      Copy mask path, create a new shape layer, click Add: > Path, and paste.

      Credits go to this guy: http://motionworks.net/mask_to_shapes/

      Simple but you have to know it!

      Cheers

        V
        vikaf99270627
        New Participant
        October 21, 2015

        It's amazing ! Finally, the correct answer !!!!!! Thank you so much!

          Mylenium
          MyleniumCorrect answer
          Brainiac
          March 21, 2009
          Copy&Paste. Jeff Almasol also created a script to automate this when you need to do it en masse. Check his site redefinery.com and Adobe Exchange. Be aware, though, that parametric shape layer items like ellipse, star etc cannot be converted.

          Mylenium
          C
          cadadas
          New Participant
          March 18, 2010

          copy and paste does not work the way i want it.

          if i copy the mask and paste it onto a shape layer, its amask path on a shape layer - not a shape path!

          do you know what I mean?

          greetings

          seb

            Todd_Kopriva
            Todd_Kopriva
            Inspiring
            March 18, 2010

            Be sure that you select the path property on the shape layer before pasting.


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