How to mask overlapping curves

Report · Jul 16, 2021

Hello!

I was wondering if someone could help me figure out how to handle an overlapping lines issue with my project. I presume this will most likely use some kind of masking workflow but I don't really know where to begin. Essentially the project entails transitions between 5 very simple animations. The idea is that the final product tells a story of 5 different stages in a process. All of the animations are based on previous illustrator files provided to me. Each of the 5 stages includes a very subtle animation before it fades into the next stage, for example, a plant swaying or a truck moving. The moving elements of each stage are of course on their own layers in after effects. The problem comes in when these small movements start interacting with the other curves in the scene. The lines start to overlap making things look a lot messier. Could anyone advise on how to fix this or what workflow to try?

Attached below are some images of curve overlap examples and a preview of the full animation. Let me know if there is anything else I can provide which would help!

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Report · Jul 16, 2021

Hi defaultvith4ntbkmh2,

Thanks for writing in.

There could be many different ways to do this. If I were you, I'd try to fill the shapes with color so that it'll hide objects behind it. Since most of the work has already been done, I'd create a Solid layer with white fill and create a mask with the same size and shape of the object (tyre or shovel). Once done, parent it with the original object to match the movement.

Hope it helps.

Thanks,

Nishu

Report · Jul 16, 2021

Most of your artwork doesn't seem to have fills, which pretty much may be the biggest issue. If they had, a lot of those overlapping issues would resolve themselves and you could still use blending modes like Multiply to create a "lines only" look. You probably need to go back to Illustrator and update the graphics. Some of the problems could likely be fixed quick & dirty with the paint bucket effect by strategically placing the crosshair inside closed shapes to generate a fill, but overall I think you should "do it right" and spend some time fixing these problems in AI. Latest when you need to re-edit the project at a later point and all your hacky workarounds get in the way this may get complicated. Such projects have a way of haunting you later...

Mylenium