đŸ© How To Merge Paths To Make A Donut in After Effects

by | Feb 14, 2023 | Adobe After Effects, Tutorials

After Effects CC 2023: đŸ© How To Merge Paths To Make A Donut 

Solids Folder Basics

Description:
This tutorial will show you how to Merge Paths to cut out shapes using other shapes in Adobe After Effects CC 2023 to make shapes like a donut.

Merge Paths
Similar to the Pathfinder Tool in Adobe Illustrator and is used to create shapes from other shapes.

Keyboard Shortcuts:
Cmd/Ctrl + N: Create New Composition
S: Scale

Chapters:
00:00  Intro: About the Tutorial
00:17  Create A New Composition
00:25  Add A New Shape Layer
00:35  Add New Ellipse (Circle) & Fill
00:45 How do Layer Groups work?
01:06  Rename Layers
01:23  Scale Up Circles
01:33  Change Fill Color of Circles
01:45  Resize Inner Circle
02:01  Add Merge Paths (Cut Hole In Donut)
02:33  Resize Donut Hole
02:41  How To Create Crescent Moon
02:56  How To Make A Lone-star Badge
03:22How To Animate Shapes (Wiggle Paths)

Software Used:
Adobe After Effects CC 2023 (Click To Try or Buy)

How To Add New Shapes in After Effects CC 2023:

  1. Create a new Composition (Cmd/Ctrl + N)
  2. Right-Click in Layers Panel and select New
Shape Layer
  3. Twirl open Shape Layer and click on ‘Add’
  4. Select ‘Ellipse’
  5. Repeat clicking ‘Add’ and select ‘Ellipse’
  6. Repeat clicking ‘Add’ and select ‘Fill’
  7. Rename Ellipse Properties to Outer & Inner
  8. Tap S for Scale and resize Circles
  9. Select Inner Circle and twirl open
  10. Reduce size of Inner circle to desired size
  11. Select Fill Property and change color of circle


How To Use Merge Paths to Make a Donut in After Effects CC 2023:

  1. Twirl open Shape Layer and click on ‘Add’
  2. Select ‘Merge Paths’
  3. Twirl open ‘Merge Paths’ property
  4. Click on the Mode drop-down and change to ‘Subtract’
  5. The Inner Circle should have knocked out the out circle
  6. Change the size of the inner circle to change the donut hole size


How To Make A Crescent Moon:

  1. Twirl open Shape Layer and click on ‘Add’
  2. Select ‘Merge Paths’
  3. Twirl open ‘Merge Paths’ property
  4. Click on the Mode drop-down and change to ‘Subtract’
  5. Increase the size of the Inner Circle
  6. Change the Position

How To Make A Lone-Star Badge:

  1. Twirl open Shape Layer and click on ‘Add’
  2. Select ‘Merge Paths’
  3. Hide visibility of the Inner Circle
  4. Click on ‘Add’ and select ‘Polystar
  5. Twirl open ‘Merge Paths’ property
  6. Click on the Mode drop-down and change to ‘Subtract’
  7. Decrease the size of the Polystar

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