After Effects: How To Place Videos in Shape Layers Using Alpha Mattes

by | Jul 28, 2022 | Adobe After Effects, Tutorials

After Effects CC 2022: How To Place Videos in Shape Layers Using Alpha Mattes

Description:
This tutorial will show you how to use Alpha Mattes in Adobe After Effects CC 2022 to place videos or animations in shape layers or text.

Keyboard Shortcuts:
S to bring up Scale Property
F2 to Deselect All Layers in the Layers Panel

Font used in Video:
Londrina Solid
 (Google Fonts)

Troubleshooting Alpha Mattes:

The Shape Layer Visibility must be hidden. The layer visibility icon is turned off automatically when Alpha Matte is selected, but if the visibility is enabled on the Shape Layer, tick It off to hide and the Alpha Matte should work.

Chapter Markers:
0:14 Place Footage on Comp
0:23 Create Shape Layer
0:53 Track Matte Column
01:06 Apply Alpha Matte To Video
01:20 Reposition Shape Layer or Video
01:48 Place Video Inside Text
01:58 Convert Text To Shapes
02:19 Apply Alpha Matte to Video

Software Used:
Adobe After Effects CC 2022 (Click To Try or Buy)

How To Place Videos Inside Shape Layers in Adobe After Effects CC 2022:

  1. Open a New Composition (1920 x 1080, 30fps, 10 secs)
  2. Add a background layer (optional)
  3. Drag a video on the composition 
  4. Scale down the video if necessary to fit on the background (S for Scale)
  5. Deselect all Layers in the layer panel (click blank space or press F2)
  6. Create a new shape layer (right-click and select New…Shape Layer) or,
  7. Go to Shape Tool, select Ellipse Tool, and drag out a circle (press Shift for the perfect circle and press the Spacebar to move the shape into position)
  8. Note: The Shape Layer must be directly above the Video Layer
  9. Select the Video Layer in the Layers Panel
  10. Go to the Track Matte Column. Click ‘Toggle Switches/Modes’ at the bottom of the Layers Panel if the Track Matte column is not visible
  11. With the video layer selected, click on the drop-down in the Track Matte column and select ‘Alpha Matte “Shape Layer Name”
  12. The Video should be in the Shape Layer
  13. Adjust the shape layer or Video layer size and position to reposition.

How To Place Videos Inside of Text:

  1. Add A Text Layer (the font used in the tutorial is called Londrina Solid)
  2. Right-click on the Text and select ‘Create’ then ‘Create Shapes from Text’
  3. Delete or Move the Text Layer to the bottom of the Layers Panel
  4. The new Text Outlines Shape Layer must be directly above the Video Layer
  5. Select the Video Layer in the Layers Panel
  6. Go to the Track Matte Column. Click ‘Toggle Switches/Modes’ at the bottom of the Layers Panel if the xlTrack Matte column is not visible
  7. With the video layer selected, click on the drop-down in the Track Matte column and select ‘Alpha Matte “Text Outlines Layer Name”
  8. The Video should be in the Shape Layer
  9. Adjust the shape layer or Video layer size and position to reposition.
  10. Add Turbulent Displace, Roughen Edges to add some interest

Questions, Comments, Feedback?
hello@mikemurphy.co

My Gear List:
https://mikemurphy.co/resources

My Amazon Store:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/mikemurphyco

My YouTube Channel:
https://youtube.com/c/mikemurphyco