How to remove an effect from a specific area

[c6nvict]

So, this is kind of bugging me.

I cannot for the life of me, figure out how to remove an effect from a specific area. I've added a snow effect to a clip, and I want the effect to be everywhere EXCEPT where the person is. I've tried the pen tool, rotobrush tool, everything I can think of. I have had the effect ON the clip, on a layer above, below, and everywhere in between the clip. I CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THIS. I'm sure there's an answer somewhere, but I don't even KNOW what the names are of what I'm trying to do. I am very new to AE...

To clarify: I want the snow effect everywhere around her. How do I outline her and remove the effect from being in front of her like that?

[Roland Kahlenberg · Accepted solution]

Looks like your image is a composite - so, you'll need a mask around the area you do not want to be affected by the effect. Then, you'll need to use the effect's Compositing Options feature. More info here - Compositions Options and Mask Reference in After Effects CC

[Towerguy]

Hi. Your comments are very confusing regarding using the pen tool and rotobrush and not getting the result. The term you are looking for is Rotoscoping- that is what the pen tool and rotobrush should be doing for you. I suggest you might look up some tutorials so you have a clear idea of exactly what to do and how it works. Your layer order should be 1: the girl only (with an alpha background) and no snow effect 2: a copy of your video, including the girl, with the snow effect applied.

After effects is not an intuitive program and if you don't have the basic knowledge of how it works you will drive yourself crazy, so it's really worthwhile to start here:

After Effects tutorials | Learn how to use After Effects CC