Hi, I am very new to AE! What I'm trying to do is trace the line of a drawing that was done in illustrator. I converted the layer into a shape but within the shape are 25 different groups that I put into one larger group (side note: I don't know what a group is versus a shape). I'd guess I need to fix something within the groups because the trim path tool won't even move along any portion of the line? In all honesty, I am not even sure if converting the layer into a shape added paths. I need to learn how to do this for an assignment, but I am starting at level zero with After Effects and am so lost!!
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If the number of groups is alright then I don't mind, but I'm not sure what to do about the stroke thickness. When I add anything from 10 to 100 px nothing changes. I'm not sure if I'm adding it in the wrong way, if I should be doing anything with the keyframes, or maybe the contents are out of order? My apologies I don't quite know where everything is in the program yet.
I'm not sure what to do about the vector above the outline, but this is the layer right now
Let's go back to the source of the problem. Try this:
- Open your original AI file
- Save a copy of the file and name it Face Outlines
- Delete every layer in the AI file that does not contain the face outlines you are having problems with
- Only the face outlines should remain
- Select all and make sure there are no brushes or fills on any path (object) by
- turn off all fills using the toolbar
- turn off all strokes using the toolbar
- with all paths selected use the toolbar to add color only to the stroke on every layer
- make the stroke is set to 1 point (pixel)
- make sure you release all compound paths by selecting all and going to the Object/Compound paths menu
- With all layers selected expand the Layer in the Layer panel and look for groups
- If there are any groups use the Object menu to ungroup them or drag them around in the Layer Panel so there are no groups in the drawing
- Carefully examine all paths and make sure they are all simple paths by changing the View to Outlines (Ctrl/Cmnd + y)
- If you find a path that has parallel sides then that path will be too thick when it the View is changed back to Preview (Ctrl/Cmnd + y) so the path needs to be opened up and one side of the path needs to be deleted
- Back in preview mode set the stroke width to 2 pixels or more (you never want 1-pixel strokes in a video) and choose the right color
- Make sure that the paths are arranged in the layer in the order you want them to be revealed
- Save the file, import into AE as footage, add the Face Outlines file to the timeline, convert it to Outlines and check the shape layer for groups
- Every path should be in a separate group, if you have more than one path in a group then you missed something in AI but we can fix it now
- Type Path in the timeline search field
- Ctrl/Cmnd + select all paths in showing in the timeline and drag them above group 1
- Press the U key twice to clear the search and reveal all modified properties of all layers and make sure you did not leave any paths in a group
- Select all remaining groups and delete them
- Select all of the paths and press Ctrl/Cmnd + g to group them in a new Group 1
- Use the Add menu to add a stroke and Trim Paths
The goal is one group with 1 stroke. All that is left is to add Tim Paths and select the sequential option The stroke should be below Trim Paths. In the end, your timeline should look like this:
If you want some paths to animate on at the same time, group the paths by selecting them and using the Group shortcut, then arrange them so all the groups, trim paths, and strokes are under contents and not nested in another group.
If this does not work, share the AI file and let me take a look.
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