AfterEffects

Modify a Bezier mask path or shape path

You can change a Bezier mask path using the Selection tool and pen tools in the Layer or Composition panel. You can change a Bezier shape path using the Selection tool and pen tools in the Composition panel.

The pen tools—Add Vertex, Delete Vertex, and Convert Vertex tools—are grouped with the Pen tool in the Tools panel. To reveal these tools in the Tools panel, click and hold the Pen tool in the Tools panel.

In most cases, the appropriate pen tool becomes active when you place the Pen tool pointer in a particular context. For example, the Delete Vertex tool becomes active when you place the Pen tool pointer over an existing vertex, and the Add Vertex tool becomes active when you place the Pen tool pointer over a path segment. To manually activate and cycle through these tools, press G.

When modifying a path, make sure that you click only existing vertices or segments; otherwise, you may create a new path instead.

Move, add, or delete a vertex

 Do one of the following:

  • To move a vertex, drag the vertex with the Selection tool .

    To temporarily switch from the Pen tool to the Selection tool, press V or Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS).

  • To add a vertex to a mask, use the Add Vertex tool  to click the segment between two existing vertices.

  • To delete a vertex from a mask, use the Delete Vertex tool  to click the vertex.

Adjust a path segment

 Do one of the following with the Selection tool:

  • Drag a vertex.

  • Drag the direction handles extending from an adjoining smooth vertex.

  • Drag a curved segment.

    Dragging a curved segment on a RotoBezier mask also moves the vertices.

Toggle a vertex between a smooth point and a corner point

  Click the vertex with the Convert Vertex tool .
To activate the Convert Vertex tool when the Pen tool is selected, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS).

Adjust the tension of a RotoBezier mask

  1. If you want to adjust the tension of more than one vertex simultaneously, then select them.
  2. Using the Convert Vertex tool , drag a vertex.
    To activate the Convert Vertex tool when the Pen tool is selected, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS).

    The Adjust Tension pointer  appears as you drag a vertex of the RotoBezier mask.

    Clicking a vertex instead of dragging sets the vertex to a corner point (100% tension); clicking again sets the vertex to a smooth point (33% tension). Dragging up or to the right decreases the selection’s tension, increasing the curve of adjacent path segments; dragging down or to the left increases the selection’s tension, decreasing the curve of adjacent path segments.

    To view the tension value of a vertex, look in the Info panel as you adjust the tension.