Motion Draw simple masks
The Rectangle Mask and Circle Mask tools create simple masks, which create regions of transparency in layers.
Create a rectangle mask
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Select the image layer you want to mask, then select the Rectangle Mask tool in the toolbar (or press Option-R).
The Rectangle Mask Tool HUD appears. (If the HUD isn’t displayed, press F7.) To adjust the blend mode, softness, roundness, or spline color before the mask is drawn, use the controls in the HUD.
Note: You can also edit the mask parameters after you draw the mask.
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Drag in the Canvas until the resulting rectangle is the size you want, then release the mouse button.
To draw a perfectly square mask, press Shift while you drag. To draw the rectangle mask from its center, press Option while you drag.
Adjust the size, roundness, feathering, or rotation of a rectangle mask
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Do one of the following:
In the Canvas, double-click the mask.
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In the Layers list, Canvas, or Timeline, select the mask, then click and hold the 2D transform tools pop-up menu in the toolbar and choose the Edit Rectangle tool.
Simple shape transform handles appear in the Canvas.
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Do any of the following:
Adjust corner roundness: Drag the roundness handle in the upper-left corner of the mask to smooth the corners of the rectangle.
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Adjust size: Drag a size handle (on the side of the mask shape) to adjust the height or width of the rectangle mask. To scale the mask uniformly, drag the inner edge of the mask.
Note: You can also press the Shift key while adjusting the radius handles to scale the mask uniformly.
Adjust softness: Drag the mask’s outer edge away from the rectangle to feather outward, or toward the center of the rectangle to feather inward.
Adjust rotation: Drag the rotation handle to rotate the mask.
Adjust position: Drag the center, or anywhere within the mask, to move the mask.
Create a circle mask
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Click and hold the mask shape tools pop-up menu in the toolbar, then choose the Circle Mask tool (or press Option-C).
The Circle Mask Tool HUD appears. (If the HUD isn’t displayed, press F7.) To adjust the blend mode, softness, or spline color before you draw the mask, use the controls in the HUD.
Note: You can also edit the mask parameters after you draw the mask.
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Drag in the Canvas until the resulting ellipse is the size you want, then release the mouse button.
To draw a perfectly symmetrical circle, press Shift while you drag. To draw the ellipse from its center, press Option while you drag.
Adjust the size, curvature, or feather of a circle mask
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Do one of the following:
In the Canvas, double-click the mask.
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In the Layers list, Canvas, or Timeline, select the mask, then click and hold the 2D transform tools pop-up menu in the toolbar and choose the Edit Ellipse tool.
Simple shape transform handles appear in the Canvas.
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In the Canvas, do any of the following:
Adjust curvature: Drag the curvature handle in the upper-left corner of the mask to add angular corners.
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Adjust size: Drag a radius handle (on the edge of the mask shape) to adjust the height or width of the mask. To scale the mask uniformly, drag the inner edge of the mask.
Note: You can also press the Shift key while adjusting the radius handles to scale the mask uniformly.
Adjust softness: Drag the mask’s outer edge away from the mask to feather outward, or toward the center of the mask to feather inward.
Adjust rotation: Drag the rotation handle to rotate the mask.
Adjust position: Drag the center, or anywhere within the mask, to move the mask.