Trouble Auto-Tracing

[spurr1]

I am trying to auto-trace a logo to make it appear as if it is being etched-out or traced by a laser. I have a vector of the logo, an illustrator file with layers, and a png, but I haven't been able to figure out how to outline it with any of them in after effects. Every time I auto-trace, it just turns my layer into a white box. Do I need to use the pen tool or something? Some hints would be much appreciated!

[Byron Cortez]

This Auto-trace tool is good but it is not perfect. It works best with flat and contrasting colors. Maybe your logo is very complex, try with these parameters that are default.

[spurr1]

Thanks, but it didn't work, I still got a white box. How can I outline my logo to make it look like it is being traced out? Any other ideas?

[Byron Cortez]

Apparently you should use the pen tool and then you could use an operator.

[P.M.B]

My guess is that you're putting all your files into a composition and then trying auto trace the composition.  

More to the point though is why you are trying to convert paths into paths?

Auto trace is primarily for automatically creating mask/paths on images or videos and as Byron said it really only works well when it's got a high contrast area.  

You already have the paths so...just apply a trim paths to the paths.

You might be able to get better advice if you show us clearly what's in the composition. 

[Rick Gerard]

If you have a vector file don't auto trace, duplicate the layer, convert the duplicate to paths and you will have both a path you can use and a motion path you can copy to achieve your laser cutter effect. Auto-trace is a complete waste of time if you already have a vector layer. You'll need to do some manipulations of Ancor Point and position but if you use the right workflow you can either attach a null to a path or use a vector path as a motion path.

[spurr1]

Thank you! This helps. I'm fairly new to after effects. What do you mean by attaching a null to a path?

[Rick Gerard]

Here's one look at it: animating-create-nulls-path-ae

You can also copy any path and turn it into position data. The only requirement is that the layer that has the path not be scaled, rotated or repositioned in the comp panel.

Here is a short tutorial I did on creating motion paths from vector (mask or shape) paths.

This should get you started.

If you have CC 2018 or later then I would paste the path data to a null that was tracing a path, then use the null to drive the end point of your laser beam and the particle system you would use for sparks using a simple pickwhip expression.

[spurr1]

I duplicated the ellipse layer, now how do I convert it to a path?

[Rick Gerard]

They selected layer in your timeline is in an Illustrator file. I am not going to tell you exactly how to convert it to a shape layer because the conversion was covered in the video, and somebody else probably wIll.

I will tell you how to quickly find information on how to do common tasks when using After Effects. There’s a little spot at the top right hand corner of the app that says “search help.” If you type Convert to path or convert to shape there you will be taken to the User Guide.  There’s a lot of good information in there.

[spurr1]

Thank you!

[Sajjad27626692rypn]

Hi Bro, its very simple you just need to go to illustrator and increment the stroke weight to point 1of your art work and then use in After effect. It will definately work !!!!!!!

Remember me in your Prayers

[Emerik2849593856fk]

If you have any effects on the layer try to delete them and than auto trace.