After Effects Hidden Gems: Set First Vertex

May 18, 2015, 04:21 PM

http://www.provideocoalition.com/after-effects-hid...

A common trick is to use the Stroke effect to wipe on a line along a mask path. You can do the same using the Trim Paths operator for a shape layer. But, how can you control where that path starts and ends? The secret is understanding the First Vertex Point. If you drew a mask or shape path by hand, this is where you first clicked with the Pen tool. But if the path was created automatically - say, by converting a text layer into outlines - this first point is determined by the software, not you.