Home > Masking, Effects & Shapes

Kyle Hamrick

Motion | Creative & Technical Direction

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Masking, Effects & Shapes

Use masking, blending modes and effects to stylize existing elements or create new ones from scratch. Learn to leverage shape layers, similar to working in Illustrator, to create animations with flexible and versatile shapes.

This summary is AI generated

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explore After Effects as a design tool.
  • Utilize compositing options for complex looks.
  • Animate layers and effects non-destructively.

Level: Beginner

Skills you'll gain:

After Effects, Animation, Compositing, Design

Key Insights

  • Use Photoshop and Illustrator for artwork before animation.
  • Understand how effects interact based on layer order.
  • Adjustment layers apply effects to all layers below.
  • Track mats allow for independent layer visibility.
  • Fractal noise can create dynamic textures.
  • Shape layers provide procedural design flexibility.
  • Text layers can be animated with various properties.
  • Trim paths can reveal shapes creatively.
  • Explore the effects panel for diverse options.
  • Experiment with animation presets for text layers.