Copy, cut, save, reuse, and delete masks
You can reuse masks in other layers and compositions—particularly Bezier masks you’ve spent a long time perfecting. Mask paths are stored inside a composition in a project file. It can be useful to create a project with compositions just for storing complex layer masks. When you want to use a mask from another project, import that project into your current project.
Copy, cut, duplicate, or paste a mask
- To copy or cut selected masks to the clipboard, choose Edit > Copy or Edit > Cut.
- To duplicate selected masks, choose Edit > Duplicate.
- To paste a mask onto a layer, select the layer and then choose Edit > Paste. If a mask is selected, this replaces the selected mask.
Save a mask
- In the Timeline panel for the composition containing the layer and mask you want to save, expand the layer and its mask properties.
- Do one of the following:
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To save an animated mask, select the mask keyframes you want to save.
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To save a nonanimated mask, select the mask.
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- Copy the mask or keyframes, and paste the mask or keyframes to a new layer. The new layer can be a simple solid.
Reuse a mask
- Open the composition containing the mask you want to reuse. If you saved the mask in another project, import the project and then open the mask’s composition.
- In the Timeline panel, expand the saved mask’s layer and mask properties.
- Select the mask or keyframes.
- Copy the mask or keyframes, and paste the mask or keyframes to the layer to which you want to apply the mask.