How to create mask with shape layer for multiple layers

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Let's say you want to create a mask, in this case, a rectangle-shaped one, and you want all the layers underneath to be visible inside that mask but not outside of it.

One easy way of doing this, is by changing the "Mode" on this shape/mask to "Stencil Alpha". This way it will hide everything outside of the mask, including this white background.

But what if you don't want it to affect ALL layers underneath your mask?
Maybe you still want the background to be visible even outside of the mask?

You can do this by changing the Shape Layer back to "Normal", change "Opacity" on this Shape Layer to 100% and then hide it.

Now, go to the "Effects & Presets" window, search for "Set Matte" and drag and drop that effect onto one of the layers.

Go the properties of that effect and next to "Take Matte From Layer", select your mask in the dropdown menu.

Now, simply click on the word "Effects", click "Cmd + C" to copy the effect and then select all the layers where you want to apply this effect and click "Cmd + V".

Now you have masked out ALL the shapes and the first row of text, but not the background.

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#HowToAfterEffects #AfterEffectsTutorials #AfterEffects #Masks

[UrbanAstray]

Feels like Adobe is making this unnecessarily complicated

[cheriimoyya]

Been trying to figure this out for an hour, thank you so much!!!

[luke.warm.freelance]

Your channel is a lifesaver, thank you.

[DeviantDayDreamer]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I had been searching for something like this and just couldn't find anything so I'm glad I found yours!

[salvadortopete]

This was just what I needed. Thanks! And also these are very versatile tips.

[lulubeloo]

Thanks, this helped. I've been seeing red for the past 20 minutes. AE made me realize how easy it is to do frame by frame animation compared to vector crap, I don't know how artists can work with such an unintuitive piece of software.

[yayaaurita]

NICE TUTORIAL rlly at the point thank u a lot

[GaretSD]

Helped me in the first 20sec, thanks a lot 🙏

[simranarora]

Your way of making videos are extremely creative!

[JohnDrach]

Im trying to use a shape layer to mask a png using the last technique you mentioned but it isnt working. Is there some reason I shouldnt be able to use a shape layer to mask a png?

[TiesiogFilmuojam]

finally some straightforward tutorial! thanks a lot, saved me time :)

[peachlume]

thank you for the super easy and quick tutorial! helped me a lot :)

[tanviupadhyay]

This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much!!

[House-Techno-Studio]

wouldn't be easier just to record full screen without that zoom window and skewed full window? it's difficult to track. Love the video though

[dannyblessinger]

So I was able to make the mask, but it only reveals part of the image that I wanted to show if I adjust the stroke for some reason and make it incredibly big it will reveal the entire image however, the mask becomes so big that it is pointless, because it will be revealed in the hall composition

[invaderIRK]

ok, so i used the set matte method because i only want to mask certain layers, but it doesn't mask exactly the shape of the shape layer and the mask is also offset from the actual position of the shape layer for some reason.

[googleinc]

It's much easier than this, you just copy paste the shape layer into the mask path of the layer you want it to be applied to or simply the precomposed layer.

[ChinoFarmer-vw]

Doesn't seem to work for me, I guess by adjusting some properties the mask is getting messed up somehow. I wish there was a way of telling after effects "hey! this is a mask keep it as is whitoutlooking a no scale properties.

[muratz]

Good. And probably I will not remember this when I need and I will make it one by one classic masking. Bye bye tutorial, now go among other 3569 one which have lost their way in dark corners of my mind.

[pluepidoo]

Hello what if i want to add the light sweep effect (or adjustment layer) onto multilayer without the BG, how could I use the set matte instead of pre-compose ? Even though I could use the track matte but it just active in one layer?