Mask Tool
Draw custom shapes to reveal or hide parts of a layer. Create custom reveals and transitions.
Masking
Shortcut: Q (Cycle Mask Tools)Intermediate8 min readQuick Reference
Mask Tool
Adobe After EffectsKeyboard Shortcut
Qkey
Where to Find
Select the Rectangle Mask or Ellipse Mask tool from the toolbar, or press Q to cycle through mask tools. Use the Pen Too
Best Used For
- ▸Revealing or hiding parts of a layer
- ▸Creating custom transitions and reveals
- ▸Masking out backgrounds from footage
- ▸Building complex composite shapes
Intermediate⏱ 1-2 hours to master
Key Settings
Mask Mode: Add / Subtract / IntersectFeather: Soft edge controlInvert: Reverse mask
Masks are essential for controlling which parts of a layer are visible. Whether you're masking out a background, creating a custom reveal transition, or building complex composites, masks give you pixel-perfect control. Animate mask paths for morphing shapes and dynamic reveals.
Where to Find
Select the Rectangle Mask or Ellipse Mask tool from the toolbar, or press Q to cycle through mask tools. Use the Pen Tool (G) for custom bezier masks.
How to Use
- Rectangle/Ellipse: Click and drag on a layer to create basic shape masks
- Pen Tool: Click to add points, click and drag for curved bezier paths
- Mask Mode: Choose Add, Subtract, Intersect, or Difference for combining masks
- Feather: Adjust mask feather for soft edges
- Invert: Check the Inverted box to reverse the mask
Pro Tips
- Press M to reveal mask properties for the selected layer
- Animate mask path shapes for morphing reveals
- Hold Shift while drawing to constrain to perfect circles or squares
- Use multiple masks on one layer with different modes for complex shapes