After Effects Tips and Techniques: Shapes, Text Masks, and Path Effects

Eran Stern dives deep into new uses and shortcuts for shape layers, text, masks, and path effects in After Effects.

Introduction

• Welcome
• Using the exercise files

1. Shape It Up

• Fixing quality issues
• Adding dashes to lines
• Designing a sunburst background animation
• Creating a repeating timer animation
• Auto-animating shape layers
• Creating 3D extruded shapes

2. Text Tricks

• Make Photoshop text editable
• Controlling word spacing
• Paragraph kerning and punctuation
• Auto-animating text with the Wiggly Selector

3. Under the Mask

• Converting masks to shapes
• Creating transitions using mask expansion
• Achieving a unique look with the Mask Feather tool

4. Path Effects

• Creating cutout animations using Auto-trace
• Auto-animating text with the Scribble effect
• Copying paths from Illustrator
• Animating strokes with the Stroke and Vegas effects
• Morphing between masks
• Creating an ethereal morph effect

Conclusion

• Next steps