Creating masks using shapes

[Indie767]

I have been using Photoshop to create shapes that I import into AE as a .PNG to use to create mask in AE. The problem is that I don't have feather and other controls with this workflow. I have been looking at third party software to create shape mask but haven't found any plugin to specifically address this issus. Any ideas? 

[OussK]

if your mask is a PNG you can simply convert it to an AE mask by selecting the PNG layer then going to Layer/Auto trace.
now AE will create a mask from your PNG, so simply you can copy that mast and past it where you want, or even you can use the same layer as alpha matte mask and at the same time you will have the mask control on it

[Jose Panadero]

Copy the original shape path and then:

- Create a mask with only one point into a layer.

- Select the mask path under the layer and Paste the copied shape path.

This procedure can bu used to converte masks into path or viceversa.