How to Mask on Alight Motion?

In Alight Motion, masking is a technique used to hide or reveal parts of your video or animation. Here’s how you can create a mask.

1. Add a Layer

Before you can start masking, you need to have a layer in your project. This could be a video, an image, or any other element you want to manipulate. To create a layer, tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen and select the type of layer you wish to add (e.g., video, image, shape, or text). Once your desired layer is added, you can begin applying a mask to it.

2. Create a Shape

In Alight Motion, a mask can be created using basic shapes like a square, circle, or a custom path. To add a mask shape, tap the + button again and choose Shape Layer. You can select from predefined shapes like circles, squares, or polygons. Alternatively, you can use the Pen Tool to draw a custom mask by tracing out specific points. Using the Pen Tool gives you more control over the mask’s exact shape, allowing you to create complex, organic outlines if needed. You can also adjust the size and position of the shape as per your needs.

3. Enable Masking

Once you have your shape ready, the next step is to apply it as a mask to your layer. Select the layer you want to mask (such as your video or image), and tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the layer’s settings. A menu will pop up with various options, one of which is Mask. When you choose Mask, your shape layer will act as the mask for the selected layer. The area inside the mask shape will remain visible, while the areas outside the mask will be hidden, effectively “masking” parts of the layer.

4. Adjust the Mask

After enabling the mask, you can adjust the properties of the shape to refine its appearance. To change the mask’s position, scale, or rotation, simply select the shape layer and move, resize, or rotate it in the preview window. You can also adjust the mask layer’s transparency and timing by keyframing its properties to change over time. This gives you flexibility to animate the mask, making it dynamic, such as making it grow or shrink, or move across the screen. Keyframes allow you to control these changes precisely at specific points in your timeline.

5. Feather the Edges (Optional)

To make the transition between the masked and unmasked areas smoother, Alight Motion provides a Feather feature. The feathering effect softens the edges of the mask, preventing sharp, hard lines that can look unnatural. You can adjust the feathering in the Mask settings, where a slider controls the degree of softness. By increasing the feather value, you create a gradual fade from the visible to the hidden area, making the mask blend better with its surroundings. Feathering is particularly useful when you want a more subtle effect, such as when masking out backgrounds or creating smooth transitions.

By following these steps, you can effectively use masking in Alight Motion to create a wide range of creative effects, from hiding specific parts of an image or video to revealing only certain sections, all while maintaining precise control over the look and feel of your project.