Creating a mask from a shape

take2visualmedia

take2visualmedia

Well-known member
I'm sure this is simple, I'm just having a brain freeze. I have a line art image of a thought bubble. I want to insert an image into the thought bubble. Simple right? I just can't figure our how to make a mask out of the line art..or is there a better way to do it?
 
Use the a duplicate layer of the line art as a Track Matte for your video you want in it. You may have to use levels to get it as high contrast as you can.

You can also use Preseve Transparancy option in your comp settings, though you may have to do a little nesting and/or precomposing.
 
Hmm..that just seems to be affecting the line itself. In other words the layer underneath the thought bubble is now what makes up the physical line of the bubble drawing versus having the layer inside the bubble.
 
If I understand you right, you want to set the hi-contrast bubble (hopefully white?) on top of the layer you want to fill it, then set the layer to use the bubble as a track matte. Luma and luma inverted should switch between filling your bubble with footage and using it to "punch a hole."
Edit:
You need a white bubble that's alpha-ed. If you have a big white square, for example with a black line drawing on it, it won't work. You need the bubble on its own, so mask it if it isn't already. Hope that makes some sense...
 
Got it..thanks. I had to go into Photoshop with the picture on the "big white square" and create an alpha...makes complete sense and worked perfectly...thanks again!
 
That's one way to do it, no doubt. Remember than in AE, as in Photoshop, there are 10 different ways to do anything. So your own methods as you progress will be no more wrong (or right for that matter) than anyone elses. The only difference will be in time from workflow steps.

Getting something to work the way you want it is always one of my favoritest feelings.
 
Oh yeah, I second that Matt. AE is great because you can work just how you like to. I was just trying to do a brain dump of how I might proceed...
 
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