AfterEffects question
- Started
- Last post
- 32 Responses
- CygnusZero4
I have 6 layers that I would like to ALL use the same mask, this way I can animate the one mask layer and it effects all 6 layers below it.
Is this possible? I know it can be done in Flash, but doesnt seem to work here. Im using a solid as a mask, and it seems only the layer directly below it can use it as a mask. I cant just tell any layer I want to use that solid as a mask which seems very ridiculous to me.
- M_C_P0
select all 6 layers>pre compose
- CygnusZero40
Damnit thats annoying because I need to do a bunch of animation stuff with those layers timed with elements from the main timeline, so precomposing would mean id have to animate them seperately trying to time them with elements I cant even see, then go back and forth between comps. I really cant stand AE.
- chossy0
Use a track matte.
- M_C_P0
edit this, look at that
- CygnusZero40
^ I explained that doesnt work the way I need it to. With track mattes, you can only select the layer right above it as a mask. I have 6 layers that need to use 1 mask.
Looks like precompose is the only way, except its going to make animating those layers a serious pain in the ass, but I guess I would rather do that than have to make 6 different mask layers which is hilarious they never got this working right. Ive had an issue with this in AE for like 10 years now and they never got it working like it does in Flash.
- M_C_P0
you aren't able to go view > new viewer? that should be in older versions since long ago
- M_C_P0
on your matte layer select stencil alpha mode. it will cut the hole thru all 6 layers below AND everything beneath that. i assume you have other layers below the 6 and this isn't what you need. but just so you know, you can cut holes thru the whole comp with one mask
- Not going to help, I have like 20 layers that need to be below these 6.CygnusZero4
- Ramanisky20
use the same track matte on all 6 layers
so when you go inside that track matte comp and make a change you will only have to do this one time not six times
- locustsloth0
If you have layers under the 6 that you don't want cut, i think you can put adjustment layer above the unefffected layers and that will save them from being effected (not 100% on this)
THe other option in create the one layer that you want to be the mask and duplicate it 5 other times, placing the copies above the other 5 layers you want matted and then parent those five layer to the first and animate it- Yeah I said above I dont want to animate 6 different masks.CygnusZero4
- CygnusZero40
New viewer doesnt help. That just makes another copy of the current comp Im viewing.
- new viewer then lock it, then that view will stay even when your in another compmoldero
- chossy0
Just duplicate the mask you want to use six times and use track matte.
Pre-comp the file before you duplicate it and then any change you make will be placed on all the other layers.
It won't take you very long I promise.
- Ive done it this way before. Its the most ridiculous way to do something like this. They need to fix this.CygnusZero4
- 6 masks just because they cant figure out how to make it work like Flash? Fail.CygnusZero4
- FAIL! Adobe is going down. This is worse than how they wouldn't let Flash on the iPhone.monospaced
- chossy0
It's just that you have to do it this way because you have effects on your main comp. restricting you from using a precomp. which would have been ideal. That's the whole idea with precomps etc. I'm unsure why you can't pre-comp?
No reason why you can't pre-comp. just duplicate the composition time it then uncheck the layers you don;t want to see in your other comp.
- M_C_P0
that's what its supposed to do. open your precomp and it's timeline and window come forward with the master comp locked in the new viewer.
- Ramanisky20
you create one animated mask and pre-comp it
- so that all effects are inside the comp .. then duplicate it and use it multiple timesRamanisky2
- Ramanisky20
I know what you are saying about how it works in Flash .. but that's just the way you have to do it in AE ..
- CygnusZero40
Precoming is useless for me. I have 6 layers, each with their own animation, and I have animation that they also need to be timed to. Well if I precomp them, I cant see the other elements, so its a useless feature to me.
Precomping is fine for elements that dont have their own animation that needs to be timed out with a ton of other elements outside of that comp.
- Pre-comping will work perfectly, do your animation do your timing. Then duplicate whole comp.chossy
- You're not understanding. I have 30 layers Im animating. 6 of them need their own mask.CygnusZero4
- Well if I precomp them and go into that comp to animate those layer, cant see the other 24 layers.CygnusZero4
- CygnusZero40
New viewer is not working the way its being explained here. Im trying everything, its not possible for me to have 2 different comps open. It just wont work.
- It fucking should do. Working over here.chossy
- You on CS4?CygnusZero4
- 2 comps visible at the same time, side by side? Wont work for me.CygnusZero4
- chossy0
If you are insistent on using one layer to effect all the others then use the set channel function.
- CygnusZero40
New viewer lets me have 2 comps open, but not side by side so its not really useful to me.
- you can't drag one tab out and dock it next to the other?M_C_P
- No sir, not possible. Believe me Ive tried.CygnusZero4
- M_C_P0
this is the major drawback to layer based compositing and something adobe could refine by adding nodal based compositing like nuke, fusion, flame and every other compositor out there.
- Yep exactly. Its a flaw with AE thats bothered me for a decade and has never been fixed.CygnusZero4