After Effects On the Spot[c] Time-Saving Tips and Shortcuts from the Pros

A twist on animating a stroke is to use the new Scribble Effect.

1. Select a layer with a closed mask.

2. Choose Effect>Render>Scribble.

3. Select a Fill Type.

• For varying stroke, increase Path Overlap Variation.

• For more concentrated Scribble, decrease Spacing.

Scribble can be applied to more than one mask and will break up a mask it finds difficult to fill with one line. Check the Fill Paths Sequentially box if you are animating the start or end of a Scribble and want the masks to behave as one. If a layer doesn't have a mask, use Scribble in conjunction with Auto Trace, which generates masks. (Choose Layer>Auto Trace).

Use that Scribble for an alpha! Draw with white and set up the layer as a Luma Track Matte.