If you aren’t familiar with masks, click the link above to view the first lesson on masking. If you are, let’s move on with the lesson. Create a layer that you intend to mask, with a visible drawing or imported image. On a layer above that, draw your mask shape. For this one, have a little fun with it; make it irregular, strange, just so you can watch how it changes.
Shape Tweening a Mask
By Adrien-Luc Sanders, About.com Guide
1 of 6
Prev Next
Once you create a mask layer, you aren’t forced to keep the shape in that mask layer the same over the course of your animation. You can change the masked area using a shape tween so that the viewable cutout fluxes in both shape and position.
Explore Animation
Must Reads
About.com Special Features
Holiday Central
What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >
Family Tech Center
Stay connected and entertained with reviews on tips on the latest HDTVs, cellphones and more. More >
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.