After Effects Compositing: 5 Rotoscoping & Edges

Master the art of rotoscoping—creating an animated selection with masking and paint tools—using After Effects.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Using the exercise files
• What is rotoscoping?

1. Simple Roto with Mask Tracker

• Select a target
• Apply a mask to effects
• Refine mask controls
• Test the limits of the mask tracker

2. Know Your Mask Tools

• Evaluate before beginning roto
• Shortcuts: Draw and edit a mask
• Start with a shape

3. Roto Strategies

• Lock-off for VFX
• Break down the shot for a clean plate
• Create blank footage with a simple expression
• Replace missing or mismatched background

4. Separate Foreground Action for VFX

• Decide what needs attention
• Quickly create points and Bezier curves
• Rotoscope straight-ahead
• Lock position only
• Build articulated roto with in-between frames

5. Soft Edges and Motion Blur

• Car: Work with defocused masks
• Refine mask feather
• Get motion blur for free

6. Clone and Paint

• Brush tools come last
• Clone brush setup and shortcuts
• Input devices for paint and roto
• Working with clone brush

7. Roto Brush

• Make quick use of Roto Brush
• Don't get bogged down with Roto Brush