Mask one path within a shape layer

Hi I'm having trouble which something which is probably extremely basic..
I've brought in a comp from Illustrator, created shapes from Vector Layers and now I am attempting to mask 1 path within the Shape Layer.
When I attempt to mask the path it masks the whole layer... Can anybody help me with this?
Cheers in advance,
Shaun
Ae CS6

Apply a Merge oprator and draw your path within the shape group. Otherwise duplicate the layer, delete the other items and use a mask. Several ways to go about this...
Mylenium

Similar Messages

How can I feather the vector mask (path) of a shape layer in CS6?

How can I feather the vector mask, i.e. path of a shape layer in CS6?
The corresponding slider in the properties pallette is alway grayed out and unmovable for me when dealing with shape layers. Is there a trick to it, or ist it really not possible at all? (In CS5 you can feather any vector mask via the mask pallette, although the mask's behavior is most of the times quiet buggy after doing so.)
Or is there any other way to non-destructably blur a shape in CS6? (I know I can create a smart object and use a blur filter on it, but that's not really what i'm after.)
Thanks in advance for any help on this.
Reiz

Start from the beginning
- Select the Rectangle Tool - go to Options Bar, ensure 'Shape' options is on from the the Pick a Tool Mode drop down list.
- Draw Rect. This should create a vector Shape Layer.
- Select it in the Layers Panel: The Properties Panel then should highlight the Density and Feather options.
What happens here when you drag the Feather slider? On my end it feathers the vector shape as a whole.
If you need further masking capabilities, then apply a Layer Mask to the Shape and proceed with the Properties Panel Density/Feather options.
h

Can one select the path of a shape layer?

I previously have created a "route" on a map using the stroke filter which allows me to select the path and then copy it into the anchor point of the map so I can make the map move with the stroke.
I was wondering if this is possible using shape layers. I know I can create the route using an open shape on a shape layer, but I'm not able to select the "open shape" to paste this into the anchor point as above. Is it possible to select the "open shape" to use it in this manor.
Sorry if I'm not clear.
Thanks in advance.
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The After Effects CC (12.2) update makes creating Bezier paths easier and more obvious.
option for creating shape layers based on Bezier paths:
When a shape tool (Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Polygon, Star, or Ellipse tool) is active, you can use the new Bezier Path option in the Tools panel to create a new shape based on a Bezier path, as opposed to the default of creating a new shape based on a parametric path. Holding the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) key while drawing a shape causes the opposite behavior—i.e., if the Bezier Path option is enabled, holding the Alt or Option key causes the shape tool to create a parametric path; if the Bezier Path option is disabled, holding the Alt or Option key causes the shape tool to create a Bezier path.
command for converting a parametric shape layer path to a Bezier path:
You can convert a parametric path to a Bezier path after the parametric path has already been created by context-clicking (right-clicking or Control-clicking on Mac OS) the property group for the parametric path (e.g., Rectangle Path 1) and choosing the Convert To Bezier Path command from the context menu. If the parametric path is animated (keyframed), the converted Bezier path is a static path based on the parametric path at the current time; keyframes are lost.
IMPORTANT: When you use the Convert To Bezier Path command to convert a parametric shape path to a Bezier shape path, the Bezier path that is created does not animate well (i.e., interpolation between paths behaves strangely and unpredictably). This is related to path direction and how transformations are stored. For now, you should not use these converted paths for animated paths (interpolation between paths); but, if you do want to try, you may be able to work around the issues by reversing the path before conversion.

Change the blending mode on the gradient fill within a shape layer?

I can't seem to figure out how to do this, if it is possible. I have a shape layer with a gradient fill, that gradient fill layer needs to be set to multiply, by default its normal. can the be done with scripting?

Indeed it is not that easy to modify the blending mode.
The blending mode is property(1), or property("ADBE Vector Blend Mode"), of the gradient fill.
Normally the blending modes are listed in the BlendingMode object, and mutliply corresponds to BlendingMode.MULTIPLY
But it doesnt work for shape graphics: if you try myGradientFill.property(1).setValue(blendingMode.MULTIPLY); you are out of range.
The value to enter is actually the occurrence of the mode in the dropdownmenu, counting separators...
so
myGradientFill.property(1).setValue(4);
Xavier

How do I turn a shape layer into a mask in After Effects?

How do I turn a shape layer into a mask in After Effects?

I should also mention that if you create the shape with any of the shape tools (rectangle, Polly star, eclipse) instead of the pen tool you will have to convert the shape to a bezier path before you can copy the path and paste it to a mask. Easy to do if you have the recent version of AE, not so easy if you're using an older version.
when you have trouble figuring things out simply type something like track matte in the Search After Effects help field at the top right corner of the AE application frame. You will get these resources: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/search/index.cfm?cat=support&term=Track%20matte&loc=en_US&sel f=1&lr=en_US&site=aftereffects…

How do I move or copy a shape layer's path to another layer?

i'm looking how to apply an existing vector shape from a layer to another, before it was simple as hell just by alt + drag 'n drop from a layer to another.
But now this command doesn't work anymore ? so how i can do it ? i need to simply apply a vector clipping mask to a bitmap layer or a group or just apply a shape to another vector layer (not the blending option)
why it's not anymore possible ? it was simple and easy since CS1 or 2 why have you changed that ?

It's unclear to me from your keyboard shortcuts whether you are on Windows or Mac, so here are the keyboard shortcuts for both platforms:
Command-drag (Mac)/Ctrl-drag (Win) the shape layer thumbnail to move the shape path to another layer.
Command-Option-drag (Mac)/Ctrl-Alt-drag (Win) the shape layer thumbnail to copy the shape path to another layer.
We had to make this slight change since there is no longer a separate vector mask thumbnail on shape layers.
For non-shape layers with a separate vector mask, the old keyboard shortcuts should still work for moving/copying the vector mask.

Copying shape layer shape to mask shape problems

Hello,
Sorry, super basic question I'm sure. I want to have text animate along a shape layer's shape (say for instance an elipse). If I copy the Elipse Path component and try to paste into a 'Mask' component of a text layer, nothing happens. Also I can't copy my Elipse shape into a Mask layer of a solid either. However I can a Mask Path to a Shape path without a problem. Any ideas?
Many thanks,
Aidan

The After Effects CC (12.2) update makes creating Bezier paths easier and more obvious.
option for creating shape layers based on Bezier paths:
When a shape tool (Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Polygon, Star, or Ellipse tool) is active, you can use the new Bezier Path option in the Tools panel to create a new shape based on a Bezier path, as opposed to the default of creating a new shape based on a parametric path. Holding the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) key while drawing a shape causes the opposite behavior—i.e., if the Bezier Path option is enabled, holding the Alt or Option key causes the shape tool to create a parametric path; if the Bezier Path option is disabled, holding the Alt or Option key causes the shape tool to create a Bezier path.
command for converting a parametric shape layer path to a Bezier path:
You can convert a parametric path to a Bezier path after the parametric path has already been created by context-clicking (right-clicking or Control-clicking on Mac OS) the property group for the parametric path (e.g., Rectangle Path 1) and choosing the Convert To Bezier Path command from the context menu. If the parametric path is animated (keyframed), the converted Bezier path is a static path based on the parametric path at the current time; keyframes are lost.
IMPORTANT: When you use the Convert To Bezier Path command to convert a parametric shape path to a Bezier shape path, the Bezier path that is created does not animate well (i.e., interpolation between paths behaves strangely and unpredictably). This is related to path direction and how transformations are stored. For now, you should not use these converted paths for animated paths (interpolation between paths); but, if you do want to try, you may be able to work around the issues by reversing the path before conversion.

Is it possible to access to the path property of a shape layer by AEGP API?

Hi everyone! I recently started depeloping AE plug-in and trying to access to the path of shapes on the layer from AEGP API. Sorry in advance if my question has been already asked by someone before, but I couldn't find exact answer to my question so let me ask.
In a composition, I have a shape layer and the shape layer has a vector shape depicted by the pen tool. The constitution of the layer looks like below.
Apparently, those streams of the layer like Anchor Point, Position, and Scale can be accessed by AEGP_GetNewLayerStream. However, I have no idea how I can get the pointer to the Shape 1 and get the Path from it because the these valuse are not categolized into any AEGP_LayerStream types.
Very similar question was asked in the following link and the it was advised to use MaskOutlineSuite, PathQuerySuite, and PathDataSuite, although these suites are for making effect plugins, not for AEGP plugins, so I am not sure if they can be used here.
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1068528
So would someone kindly enlighten me about this??
Thank you very much.

hi hagmas! welcome to the forum, where there are plenty of existing answers
but never for exactly what you seek.
first off, every suite who's functions name start with AEGP, were actually
created for AEGP's plug-ins use, but most of them (including the suites you
mentioned) can also be used in effects. (and not as you thought, the other
way around)
the shape layer's stream indeed are not indexed, and that's because then
are added dynamically by the user and can be re-ordered.
look into the "dynamic stream suite", using which, you'll get the first
stream of the shape layer, and start navigating though there by getting the
stream name, type, parent group ect...
you'll eventually find the "content" group, and in it the "shape" groups,
and in them the... you get the picture.
yes, it's somewhat tedious, but since nothing in these gourps order is
pre-determined or guaranteed, there's no other way to go (that i know of).

Add arrowhead to shape layer using trim paths & expressions?

Hi,
I am trying to use expressions to attach an arrowhead to a shape layer.
I'm using the 'trim paths' effect on the shape layer to grow a stroke over time (using the start/end/offset features).
I would like to attach an arrowhead to the tip of the stroke, using an expression to animate it dynamically (e.g. the arrowhead follows the stroke when animated using the start/end/offset values)
I've attached a basic project file if anyone can help?
94_shapelayerarrowhead.zip
Thanks for your time, any help appreciated
Tim

The easiest way to do this is to use a stroked path to reveal the shape layer, then copy and paste the path to the position property of the arrowhead. Auto orient the arrowhead to the path and adjust the timing of both the stroke and the arrowhead position to match them up.
Using trim path makes it more difficult to adjust timing than using start and end for stroke and I can't think of an automatic way to match the timing with an expression.
Another option would be to pre-compose your arrowhead layer after you've used the path for position, then use time remapping to adjust the timing. This may be the easiest solution if you have a lot of timing changes to follow.

New shape layer auto applies the same layer effects as previous ones

Everytime I draw a new SHAPE layer it auto applies the same layer effects I applied to the first shape I drew in a document. I can’t find anything online about turning this annoying setting off. So for example, if I draw a circle and apply a gradient overlay and a drop shadow then every circle I draw from here on out adds the same effects automatically.

To draw a new shape layer without the layer style applied to the
previous shape layer:
Click image to enlarge.
MTSTUNER

Get vector points out of shape layer

Hi,
I need to write a script which (also) saves the vector paths given as/in shape layers (Photoshop).
What the script should provide is:
1. Loop over all Layers
2. Look if there is a boundary shape layer within that (main) layer with the name "mask"
3. If so, not only save the content of this main layer (within its given rectangular bounds) as an png, but...
4. also so save the anchor points (may not be bezier, only path of strait line segments) of the shape within the sibling shape layer "mask"
(optional:
also:
5. look at a text layer "config", make it invisible before image export of the main layer (in which it is layered)
6. save the text from this text layer in a separate text file (corresponding to the save png file)
Many thanks for any help.
Kind regards
Joe

I had made some mistakes in the Script – more than one »Bitmap X« layers in the LayerSet would have been ignored and if the order of the »Bounding Shape« and »Image« LayerSets were switched it would result in erroneous output …
Hopefully this version is more thorough:
// saves clipped pngs of certain layers and the vector path info of certain other layers;
// bitmap layers have to be named »Bitmap« + number, and reside in »Image« in »Object« + number;
// vector layers have to be named »Form« + number, and reside in »Bounding Shape« in »Object« + number;
// 2011, use it at your own risk;
#target photoshop
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
var myDocument = app.activeDocument;
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.POINTS;
// thanks to xbytor;
var docName = myDocument.name;
if (docName.indexOf(".") != -1) {var basename = docName.match(/(.*)\.[^\.]+$/)[1]}
else {var basename = docName};
try {var docPath = myDocument.path}
catch (e) {var docPath = "~/Desktop"};
// png options;
var webOptions = new ExportOptionsSaveForWeb();
webOptions.format = SaveDocumentType.PNG;
webOptions.PNG8 = false;
webOptions.transparency = true;
webOptions.includeProfile = false;
webOptions.optimized = true;
// duplicate image;
var theCopy = myDocument.duplicate ("copy", false);
// get the layers;
var theLayers = collectSpecialLayersB(theCopy);
// create array for bounds;
var theBoundsArray = new Array;
// process the layers;
for (var m = 0; m < theLayers.length; m++) {
     var theArray = theLayers[m];
// process the bitmap layers;
     for (var n = 0; n < theArray[1].length; n++) {
          var theLayerSet = theArray[0];
          var theBitmapLayer = theArray[1][n];
          var theNumber = theBitmapLayer.name.slice(7, theBitmapLayer.name.length);
          theBoundsArray.push([theBitmapLayer.name, theBitmapLayer.bounds]);
          theBitmapLayer.visible = true;
          var theParent = theBitmapLayer.parent;
          while (theParent != theCopy) {
               theParent.visible = true;
               theParent = theParent.parent
          theCopy.activeLayer = theBitmapLayer;
          hideOtherLayers();
          theCopy.trim();
// save png;
          var theFile = new File(docPath+"/"+basename+"_"+theLayerSet.name+"_"+theBitmapLayer.name+".png");
          theCopy.exportDocument(theFile, ExportType.SAVEFORWEB, webOptions);
// check for a form-layer with the corresponding number;
          for (var p = 0; p < theArray[2].length; p++) {
               try {
                    var pathLayer = theArray[2][p];
                    var thisNumber = pathLayer.name.slice(5, pathLayer.name.length);
                    if (Number(theNumber) == Number(thisNumber)) {
// get the path info;
                         theCopy.activeLayer = pathLayer;
                         var thePath = theCopy.pathItems[theCopy.pathItems.length - 1];
                         var thePathArray = collectPathInfo (theCopy, thePath);
// save path-info;
                         writePref(thePathArray, docPath+"/"+basename+"_"+theLayerSet.name.replace(" ", "-")+"_"+pathLayer.name+"_path.txt");
               catch (e) {};
          theCopy.activeHistoryState = theCopy.historyStates[0];
alert (theBoundsArray.join("\n\n"));
// close the opy;
theCopy.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
////// function to collect path-info as text //////
function collectPathInfo (myDocument, thePath) {
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.POINTS;
var theArray = [];
for (var b = 0; b < thePath.subPathItems.length; b++) {
     theArray[b] = [];
     for (var c = 0; c < thePath.subPathItems[b].pathPoints.length; c++) {
          var pointsNumber = thePath.subPathItems[b].pathPoints.length;
          var theAnchor = thePath.subPathItems[b].pathPoints[c].anchor;
//          var theLeft = thePath.subPathItems[b].pathPoints[c].leftDirection;
//          var theRight = thePath.subPathItems[b].pathPoints[c].rightDirection;
//          var theKind = thePath.subPathItems[b].pathPoints[c].kind;
//          theArray[b][c] = [theAnchor, theLeft, theRight, theKind];
          theArray[b][c] = [theAnchor];
//     var theClose = thePath.subPathItems[b].closed;
//     theArray = theArray.concat(String(theClose))
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
return theArray
////// function to write a preference-file storing a text //////
function writePref (theText, thePath) {
try {
    var thePrefFile = new File(thePath);
    thePrefFile.open("w");
    for (var m = 0; m < theText.length; m ++) {
      thePrefFile.write(theText[m])
    thePrefFile.close()
catch (e) {};
////// hide other layers //////
function hideOtherLayers () {
// =======================================================
var idShw = charIDToTypeID( "Shw " );
    var desc2 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
        var list1 = new ActionList();
            var ref1 = new ActionReference();
            var idLyr = charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " );
            var idOrdn = charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" );
            var idTrgt = charIDToTypeID( "Trgt" );
            ref1.putEnumerated( idLyr, idOrdn, idTrgt );
        list1.putReference( ref1 );
    desc2.putList( idnull, list1 );
    var idTglO = charIDToTypeID( "TglO" );
    desc2.putBoolean( idTglO, true );
executeAction( idShw, desc2, DialogModes.NO );
////// function to collect special layers //////
function collectSpecialLayersB (theParent, allLayers) {
     if (!allLayers) {var allLayers = new Array};
     for (var m = theParent.layers.length - 1; m >= 0;m--) {
          var theLayer = theParent.layers[m];
// apply the function to layersets;
          if (theLayer.typename == "ArtLayer") {
// get the bitmap-layers;
               if (theLayer.name.match(new RegExp('^bitmap '+'[0-9]{1,3}','i')) && theLayer.parent.name == "Image" && theLayer.parent.parent.name.match(new RegExp('^object '+'[0-9]{1,3}','i'))) {
                    allLayers[allLayers.length - 1][1].push(theLayer);
// get the form-layers;
               if (theLayer.name.match(new RegExp('^form '+'[0-9]{1,3}','i')) && theLayer.parent.name == "Bounding Shape" && theLayer.parent.parent.name.match(new RegExp('^object '+'[0-9]{1,3}','i'))) {
                    allLayers[allLayers.length - 1][2].push(theLayer);
// process layersets;
          else {
               if (theLayer.name.match(new RegExp('^object '+'[0-9]{1,3}','i'))) {
                    allLayers.push([theLayer, [], []]);
               allLayers = collectSpecialLayersB(theLayer, allLayers)
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LACK OF FULL PEN TOOL FUNCTIONALITY WHEN CREATING A SHAPE LAYER

Hello, I'm going through Chris Meyer's video course on being an AE apprentice and have spent over an hour on the following issue.
Here is what I know.
I know I am trying to create a shape layer, not a mask, to create a frame to surround the video of the green field on the attached screenshot. Therefore, I pressed "F2" to make sure I am doing so.
I want to define the borders of this picture frame by using the pen tool to draw a path on the layer entitled "Windy Peak".
I have highlighted that layer in my timeline.
This video was pasted on to a placeholder shape that I had created using Command Option "/" on my Mac.
I do have limited use of the pen tool, because it displays properly when I hover it above the borders of the video to be framed.
But I lack access to the toolbar controls I want to complete my assignment.
For example, I would like to create a gradient to define the internal coloration of this frame, but I have no use of the eyedropper when I click on the Color Picker.
Also, I am unable to access or manipulate any of the standard fill or stroke options for use of my pen.
This is what I know.
Thanks for your help! Matt
Message was edited by: Matt Dubuque to add the fact that the video had been pasted on to a placeholder shape image by pressing Command Option "/" on my Mac.

Thanks for pitching in Todd and Rick, I appreciate it very much.
As previously stated, I do have use of the pen tool, but it only has limited functionality as demonstrated by the path I created on the green meadow. My Tools Panel remains activated .
My core problem remains that I am unable to adjust the fill or stroke settings for my pen.
I have tried changing and resetting various work spaces and this has not helped.
I'm scratching my head here.
Matt

Possible BUG: duplicating a shape layer only duplicates previously selected points - PS CS6

Unless PS has been updated to make this a feature, i may have found a bug. Now (in CS6 vs. previous versions) when you duplicate a shape layer, if you had previously selected specific points of the shape (for example with the direct selection tool) only those points will be duplicated in the new layer. This is true no matter what tool you are currently using.
What I did was make a rounded-corner rectangle shape -> then direct selected all points on one side to stretch the rectangle without distorting the rounded corners -> then switched to the move tool so no points were selected anymore and only the layer was selected-> duplicate layer (with the intention of duplicating the whole shape). what i got was just the rounded corners on a new layer.
It seems the only way to duplicate the shape layer in its entirety is to go back with the direct select tool -> select ALL points of the whole shape -> change to move tool -> dupe layer.
If that's the intended new functionality, it's a bummer because if you intend to only duplicate certain points, you can already do that while using the direct select tool. Using the move tool, it shows no direct selections and therefore you should be able to duplicate the whole layer.
Maybe I have some weird default option checked that I'm not familiar with? This is not how any previous versions of PS worked and will add friction to my workflow if this is new.

Yes, this is an issue with CS6 and the first release of CC. You have to make sure you deselect all nodes in a path, or you will get the result you describe. I believe Adobe has made some corrections and improvement in the use of shape layers that will hopefully be released soon. However, if you're sticking with CS6, you've got to make sure to deselect on Win the esp key works great.

How can I write a text (paragraph, etc.) within a shape?

I know that this should be an easy one, but I have not been able to figure it out. I tried searching the online manual but I have not been able to succeed. I need to write several paragraphs within different shapes (circle, etc.), even personalized shapes. Can any body help? Thanks.

You can do type inside a path and also type along a path.
(sometimes finding stuff in help manual can be tricky cause
it's not always where you expect to find it)
If you use the help application from within photoshop (Help>Photoshop Help)
you can use the search to find stuff.
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab64-75baa.h tml
Added: just in addition to emil emil's post.
MTSTUNER
Message was edited by: MTSTUNER

Convert shape created from masks into it's own shape or mask?

Hi everyone.
I've created a shape layer (an ellipse) and used a couple different masks to create a more unique shape. Now, I'd like to extrude that shape into 3D, but as you may know, the ray-tracer doesn't support masks.
So I'm wondering, how would you convert this new shape into an actual shape that uses no masks? I'd like it to be it's own shape or at least have a path that resembles he new shape I created from the shape layer and those masks.
Any idea how to do this? Thanks.

I'd like to extrude these shapes.
http://content.screencast.com/users/Dreamcube017/folders/Jing/media/94b498bd-8ac2-41b4-ba3 0-e87276a546d7/AE%20Shapes.png
Now I know these are made from solids, but the original is an ellipse mask with some other masks drawn over it.
I was able to make these same half rings with a shape layer and some masks. I'd ultimately like to make that shape a shape layer of its own with no masks so that I can extrude it in 3D.
I wish there was some sort of magic wand tool that would let me select the shape, save the selection as a path, then use that... man I really have to go into a whole nother program to do this? Geeze.
Thanks guys.

Mask one path within a shape layer

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