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Gotta Dance
Inspiring
May 6, 2022
Answered

Straightening Mask Points

  • May 6, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 332 views

Hi everybody,

I have a situation where I've got a timeline with a scripted mask that transitions into a standard solid/mask at a particular keyframe. My solid/mask is jagged and sloppy. I'm tying to eyeball it to make it even but...it's just not adequate, and I can't use the "make it a square" option as this mask is parented to an object(s) that are in transition. When I select that it rotates the mask out of place and I'd have to redo the entire animation.

 

Is there a simple way to just "align" mask point so they're not off by a fraction of a pixel? 

 

Please see attached to illustrate what I mean.

 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Mylenium

Start by looking at AEScripts.com. There's any number of mask-related scripts that likely can fix a lot of your issues like Mathias' Pins & Boxes or Key Tweak. Of course you can laso try to create Nulls from Masks connected with expressions and pin the Nulls with parenting or even more expressions. Outside that simply consider a different workflow and use a track matte instead of masking the footage directly. Simple layer transforms are much easier to control and your cropping could e.g. also be cleaned up with additional linear wipes on the matte instead of mucking around with masks.

 

Mylenium

2 replies

Gotta Dance
Inspiring
May 7, 2022

That's good advice. Thanks, Mylenium. I ended up just having to zoom in reeeeal real close and guide line them. But I'll consider those alternatives prior to getting in the middle of "mask fun" prior to my next project for sure.  

Mylenium
MyleniumCorrect answer
Legend
May 6, 2022

Start by looking at AEScripts.com. There's any number of mask-related scripts that likely can fix a lot of your issues like Mathias' Pins & Boxes or Key Tweak. Of course you can laso try to create Nulls from Masks connected with expressions and pin the Nulls with parenting or even more expressions. Outside that simply consider a different workflow and use a track matte instead of masking the footage directly. Simple layer transforms are much easier to control and your cropping could e.g. also be cleaned up with additional linear wipes on the matte instead of mucking around with masks.

 

Mylenium