Creating Masks in After Effects - Complete Guide to Make Pro Masks

Creating masks in After Effects is an excellent technique for getting complete control over your video edits. Masks enable you to filter certain parts of the video, creating impactful visual effects. In this guide, we will explain what are masks, and the top 2 methods for masking videos in After Effects. Additionally, CapCut, a cost-effective solution, has also been mentioned. Now, let's get started to explore reliable solutions!

What are masks and what do they do

Masks are powerful video editing tools used in software like CapCut and After Effects that allow you to manipulate and isolate specific areas of your videos. Thus, masks give you more control over the video, opening more doors for creativity. Moreover, masking is vital for precise video editing. This technique adds control and creativity, enhancing your videos' overall impact.

Common types of masks

Let's look at the following common types of masks:

• Hard masks
• These types of masks create sharp and clean edges around the object, which makes them perfect for isolating it. They are commonly used when you need exact control over a particular area in the frame and are most suitable for objects with clear boundaries.
• Soft masks
• Soft masks have feathered edges, allowing smoother transitions between the masked and unmasked areas. They are perfect for situations where effects are applied without any defined lines, giving the video a more natural look.
• Dynamic masks
• This type of mask tracks the elements of objects in a video. They adjust the changes in footage automatically, making them suitable for complex scenes and animations. In this way, you can better mask moving objects.
• Shape masks
• Shape masks are custom-drawn masks using shapes like squares, circles, or polygons. They are perfect for applying effects to specific video sections and provide greater flexibility in making creative masks.

Now that you have a brief introduction to masking, let's move to the next section, which discusses how to mask videos in After Effects.

Adobe After Effects masking tutorial for you

1. Using shape tools

Step
1. Import the video
2. First, open After Effects and create a new project. Next, go to "File," then click "Import." Select "File" and choose your video. Once the video is imported, drag it onto the timeline to begin editing.
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Step
4. Create the mask
5. For creating masks in After Effects using the shape tools, click "Shape Tool" from the toolbar, select your desired shape, such as a rectangle, circle, etc., and drag it into the composition window to define your mask. This will isolate the chosen area for further editing. In case you want automatic masking, use "Track Matte" by adding a shape or layer above and setting the video layer's "Track Matte" to "Alpha Matte" or "Luma." You can also use the "Keying Effect" to remove specific background automatically.
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Step
7. Export the video
8. Once satisfied, go to "File," then "Export," and click "Add to Render Queue." Next, choose your desired output settings by clicking "Output Module" and select your desired format. Finally, click "Render" to save the video to your PC.
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2. Using the pen tool

Step
1. Import the video
2. First, open After Effects and create a new project. Then, import your video by selecting "File" and then "Import." After that, click "File" and choose a video from your PC. Drag the footage onto the timeline to start editing it.
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Step
4. Create the mask
5. To create a mask in After Effects using the pen tool, select the video in the timeline and choose the "Pen Tool" from the toolbar. Next, click the points around the area you want to mask and connect them to create a custom shape. If you wish to mask automatically, apply "Track Matte" to add a layer above your video. You can also use the "Keying Effect" to remove the background based on color. For this purpose, go to "Effects" and then choose "Keying" to remove the background.
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Step
7. Export the video
8. Once you have completed your mask, go to "File," then click "Export." After that, click "Add to Render Queue." Select the desired format and resolution. Finally, click "Render" to export the video with your masking effect applied.
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Pro-level guidance: How to make a mask animation in After Effects

Step
1. Import your video and create a mask
2. Start by importing a video, click "File," then "Import." Click "File" to select a video from your PC. Now, you can use any of the two methods mentioned above to create a mask you want to animate. Make sure to make a mask with a closed shape.
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Step
4. Animate the "Mask Path"
5. Select the video layer and expand mask settings by clicking the arrow next to the layer to animate the mask. Next, click the stopwatch next to "Mask Path" and create your first keyframe. Then, adjust the mask points to create a new shape, generating additional keyframes. For complex mask effects, consider changing "Mask Opacity" and "Mask Feather" for softer edges or fading effects.
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7. After that, play the animation to check for smoothness. You can also use "Easy Ease" (F9) for more acceleration and deceleration. Finally, adjust the timing of the keyframes by moving them along the timeline. This will result in better synchronization with the video.
Step
8. Preview and export your animation
9. Once you are done animating the mask, check for the final preview by going to "Composition" and then "Preview." After that, click "RAM Preview" to see the video playback and make any final adjustments. After that, click "File," then "Export," and select "Add to Render Queue." Set your desired settings, including format and resolution, and click "Render" to export the video.
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Now, you know how to make a mask in After Effects. Although After Effects is an excellent choice for making masks, you need a subscription after a 7-day free trial. So, for a free and beginner-friendly alternative solution, choose CapCut. The following section discusses this.

Free alternative to easily master masking: CapCut

CapCut is a popular video editing software that simplifies the editing process for users with different skill levels. Its inbuilt "Masking" feature helps you create dynamic masks for isolating objects or applying creative effects. Moreover, it offers different mask shapes and motion-tracking features, making it an ideal choice for masking.

Searching for an alternative tool to add masks easily and for free? Get CapCut using the following button!

Steps to create and apply masks

Step
1. Import the video
2. To get started making masks, open CapCut and create a new project. Next, click "Import" and select a video from your PC. Alternatively, drag and drop the video to the timeline. If the video is already present in CapCut, go to "My Spaces" to access it.
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Step
4. Apply the masking effect
5. Select the "Mask" tool from the right toolbar to apply the masking effect. Next, choose the shape of the mask you want, like a circle or rectangle, and draw it over the object you wish to mask. Drag its edges and corners to adjust the mask's size and position. For advanced-level customization, tap on the mask layer to access the editing options, like "Rotate" to rotate the mask and "Feather" for softer edges.
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Step
7. Export and share
8. Once satisfied, click "Export" in the top right corner of the screen. Select your desired resolution and format, then click "Export" to save the video to your PC.
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Key features

• Different mask shapes
• CapCut offers different mask shapes, such as rectangles, circles, or custom shapes. This leads to flexible and creative design masking options for your design needs.
• Keyframe animation for masks
• Using CapCut, you can animate mask movement through keyframe animations. This leads to precise control over how the masks interact with video elements, enhancing the overall dynamic effects.
• Motion tracking for masks
• CapCut provides motion tracking, which means the masks follow the moving objects within a video. This ensures the mask is aligned with the subject, resulting in visually appealing motion-tracked effects.

After learning about the masking process in CapCut, we should know some tips for making the best masks for videos. The following section supports some tips, now continue exploring them!

Pro tips for making pro-quality masks

• Use Keyframe animation: You should animate your mask using keyframes for smooth and dynamic effects. This helps create smooth transitions and add professionalism to your edits.
• Feather the edges: Adding the "Feather" effect to the mask's edges results in softer edges between the mask area and its surroundings. This reduces harsh lines and helps blend the mask naturally with the environment. This technique is especially beneficial when masking close-up shots.
• Use custom shapes: Instead of basic geometric shapes, use custom masks to fit the irregular subjects. Custom shapes lead to better accuracy, especially when making complex objects. So, creating custom shapes leads to a more polished final look.
• Refine mask path regularly: When working with irregular shapes, you should refine the mask frame-by-frame to ensure accurate masking. Properly adjusting the path of the mask ensures that it doesn't lose precision, leading to a cleaner and better-looking final video.
• Combine masks with motion tracking: If the object is moving, you should always use motion tracking with your mask to ensure that it remains aligned with the moving object. So you won't need to do any manual adjustments. Motion tracking masks are essential for scenes with dynamic shots where precision is vital.

Conclusion

Creating masks is essential as it adds creativity to your projects. Masks help you to hide or enhance specific objects in the video, leading to a more refined look. Creating masks in After Effects is quite beneficial due to its wide range of features. However, it is pretty complex and not suitable for beginners. Moreover, you have to get a subscription after the 7-day free trial. So, if you are looking for a cost-effective and beginner-friendly solution, choose CapCut. CapCut also allows you to add masks to videos with different shapes. Now, get CapCut and start your mask tutorial here!

FAQs

1. Does masking affect the video quality?
2. No. Creating a mask in After Effects doesn't affect video quality. However, poor mask application, like mismatched frames, can make the video look amateurish. So, to maintain quality, you should use CapCut to change the resolution because it is a user-friendly alternative to After Effects as it simplifies the editing process, making it easier to create creative masked videos.
3. Can the same mask be used in different video clips?
4. Yes, you can use the same mask in different videos using After Effects. For this purpose, copy and paste the mask layer or save it as a template. However, some adjustments may be needed for proper alignment.
5. Are there any step-by-step Adobe After Effects masking tutorials for beginners?
6. Yes, After Effects offers step-by-step tutorials, which make creating masks in After Effects easy. Several online guides, like Adobe's official website, provide detailed instructions on performing complex operations, like using pen tool and shape tools and advanced masking techniques like motion tracking. However, if you want to create a mask without any subscription, choose CapCut.