Adobe 12040118 - After Effects Standard Tutorial page 276

To create an S-shaped curve, drag in the same direction as the previous direction line, and then release the mouse button.
Drawing an S curve
A. Starting to drag B. Dragging in same direction as previous direction line, creating an S curve C. Result after releasing mouse button
4. Continue dragging the Pen tool from different locations to create a series of smooth curves.
Create a shape or mask the size of the layer
1. Select the destination for the new mask or shape:
To create a shape on an existing shape layer, select the shape layer.
To create a shape on a new shape layer with the dimensions of the composition, deselect all layers by pressing F2.
To create a mask, select a layer in the Timeline panel, Layer panel, or Composition panel. To create a mask on a shape layer, select
Tool Creates Mask
To replace a mask path, select the mask in the Timeline panel, Layer panel, or Composition panel.
To replace a shape path, select the shape path (not the group) in the Composition panel or Timeline panel.
2. In the Tools panel, double-click the Rectangle
Create shapes or masks from text characters
The Create Shapes From Text command extracts the outlines for each character, creates shapes from the outlines, and puts the shapes on a new
shape layer. You can then use these shapes as you would any other shapes.
The Create Masks From Text command extracts the outlines for each character, creates masks from the outlines, and puts the masks on a new
solid-color layer. You can then use these masks as you would any other masks.
Some font families, such as Webdings, include characters that are graphical images, rather than text. Converting text from these font families
can be a good way to get started with simple graphical elements in shape layers.
Create shapes from text
1. Select the text to convert to shapes:
To create shapes for all characters in a text layer, select the text layer in the Timeline panel or Composition panel.
To create shapes for specific characters, select the characters in the Composition panel.
2. Do one of the following:
Choose Layer > Create Shapes From Text.
Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the layer or text and choose Create Shapes From Text from the context menu.
The Video switch for the text layer is turned off.
The new shape layer is created at the top of the layer stacking order. The new layer contains one shape group for each selected character, plus
fill and stroke properties that match the fills and strokes of the text.
For characters that consist of compound paths—such as i and e—multiple paths are created and combined with the Merge Paths path operation.
Effects, masks, layer styles, and keyframes and expressions for properties in the Transform property group of the text layer are copied to the new
shape layer or solid-color layer.
Create masks from text
1. Select the text to convert to masks:
To create masks for all characters in a text layer, select the text layer in the Timeline panel or Composition panel.
To create masks for specific characters, select the characters in the Composition panel.
2. Do one of the following:
Choose Layer > Create Masks From Text.
in the Tools panel with a shape tool active.
, Rounded Rectangle , Ellipse , Polygon , or Star
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tool.
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