1 Correct answer
If you use these two expressions to control the size and position of your Background shape layer, they will compensate for Baseline Shift and Paragraph Justification:
// Background/Content/Rectangle 1/Size;
ref = thisComp.layer(index -1);
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
wPad = 50;// could be a slider
hPad = 30;// could be a slider
[box.width + wPad, box.height + hPad]
// Background/Transform/Position
ref = thisComp.layer(index -1);
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
p = ref.position;
wCntr = box.wid
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If you have used the Rectangle tool to create the shape (q), and you have not changed things in your preferences, you will have to select Contents/Rectangle 1 in the timeline, right-click and choose Convert To Bezier Path. Make sure the Rectangle 1/Path is visible in the timeline.
The next step is to select the layer that needs the mask, choose the pen tool, and click anywhere on that layer to start the mask.
With the Parent/Link column visible (Shift + Ctrl/Cmnd + F4), you can drag Pickwhip from the Layer/Mask/Path property to the Shape Layer/Contents/Rectangle 1/Path property.
As long as you don't scale, rotate, or move the layers, the mask will line up with the shape layer path.
If you need the shape layer to create a mask on another layer, you can use it as a track matte for any other layer. You can even keep it on. The Track Matte option is more useful. You'll find it in the Modes Column.
I hope this helps.
If you use these two expressions to control the size and position of your Background shape layer, they will compensate for Baseline Shift and Paragraph Justification:
// Background/Content/Rectangle 1/Size;
ref = thisComp.layer(index -1);
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
wPad = 50;// could be a slider
hPad = 30;// could be a slider
[box.width + wPad, box.height + hPad]
// Background/Transform/Position
ref = thisComp.layer(index -1);
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
p = ref.position;
wCntr = box.width/2 + box.left;
hCntr = box.height/2 + box.top;
ref.position + [wCntr, hCntr]
I always use index-1 instead of the Text Layer name, so this kind of expression can be saved as an animation preset, and you don't have to name the layers.
The next step would be to create a layer for the Saber Plugin. In my sample comp, I named it Saber. Add a mask using the Rectangle tool (q). Then, select the path and use the selection tool (v) to drag a selection around the top left vertex. Use the Layer/Mask and Shape Path/Set First Vertex to make the top left vertex the first. You can then use the Window/Create Nulls from paths script and select Points Follow Nulls to create four nulls. You can then add the following four expressions to point to the Background layer and use its position, height, width, top, and left corner to position the nulls:
// Saber: Mask 1 [1.0]/Position
ref = thisComp.layer("Background");
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
p = ref.position;
l = box.left;
t = box.top;
ref.position + [l, t]
// Saber: Mask 1 [1.1]/Position
ref = thisComp.layer("Background");
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
p = ref.position;
l = box.left;
h = box.height/2;
ref.position + [l, h]
// Saber: Mask 1 [1.2]/Position
ref = thisComp.layer("Background");
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
p = ref.position;
w = box.width/2;
h = box.height/2;
ref.position + [w, h]
// Saber: Mask 1 [1.3]/Position
ref = thisComp.layer("Background");
box = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
p = ref.position;
w = box.width/2;
t = box.top;
ref.position + [w, t]
Your comp will look something like this:
I hope this helps. The Create Nulls from Paths script is incredibly powerful. I use it all the time for motion graphics. This basic workflow is used in almost every one of the more than 100 MOGRTs I have created for Premiere Pro.
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