Trim Paths in a FORBIDDEN way... is this even possible?

[PabloACold]

Hi, there!

I'm trying to do a Trim Paths feature in a way I think is impossible, but I ask anyways, just in case...

As you can see in the following image, in the left I have a shape with Trim Paths apllied, and that's the final shape I want, BUT I want to have not a shape but a STROKE (as the right side one) because I want to manipulate it more easily.

The right one is a double stroke, made with the following technique...

...when the black stroke is attached to the blue one with a value at the end (+5). This is the way I use to use in these cases; when I change the value of the blue stroke and the false stroke mantains its false looking.

So there's the problem: I want to Trim Paths the black one.

It's a solution for this?

Thanks in advance!

[nishu_kush]

Thanks for writing in, Pablo.

I don't think it would be possible. Could you let us know what kind of controls you need to manipulate the shape? Maybe we can help with that.

Looking forward to your response.

Thanks,
Nishu

[PabloACold]

Hey, Nishu! Thanks for your reply!

I need to manipulate it like it's an actual stroke, with nodes and stuff.

I know there's controls like Puppet, but I need the stroke.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

[Rick Gerard]

I am not sure what you are trying to achieve. Trim Paths does not work predictably on a path with a fill. You should only apply it to a shape that has only a stroke. You can stack up the Contents/Shapes in a Shape layer, duplicate them, and then put the fill on one and the stroke on another to make the outline appear.

If you want Trim Paths to reveal a shape, you have to either use a mask or Group some of the contents and use a path to reveal a filled shape by intersecting or subtracting the layers using a Merge Objects workflow.

Let us know exactly what your design is supposed to do, and we can probably help.

[PabloACold]

Hi, Rick!

Look at the first image of all, the design at the left... that is exactly what I want to achieve.

But don't worry, now I know (and I suppossed it, as the post title suggest it) that is not possible.

Thank you, guys!

[thepixelsmith]

I don't think this is possible to achieve in the way you want.

The problem with what you are trying to achieve is that while the stroke looks like a rounded outline it is in fact the entrie shape. 

[Rick Gerard]

What am I missing?

I made this Quick Tip tutorial for you:

You can also use expressions to offset the position of the stroke so that it lines up with the edge of the rectangle by subtracting the stroke width from the height and width of the rectangle. I have a couple dozen animation presets for lower third and title graphics that I have created for clients using duplicated shapes or paths with fancy stroke and fill animations. You just need more than one item in the Contents section of a shape layer and a few simple expressions. I've uploaded an AE 25 and AE24 Project file for you to play with.

[PabloACold]

Hey, Rick!

I really thank you for your quick tutorial!

I'm afraid I already know how to do what you did. My question was beyond that, because the technique you implemented don't allow you to do, for example, what's on the image below.

But don't worry, I know now that it is like thepixelsmith above said.

Thank you all!

[thepixelsmith · Accepted solution]

Sorry it can't work like you want.

Maybe you can make a feature request.

[PabloACold]

Will do. Thanks!