How to invert a mask in After Effects

Invert a mask to flip what’s visible — it’s handy when you want to hide the center and keep everything else showing.

Steps to invert a mask

Select your masked layer and press MM to open all mask properties.

Showing After Effects mask settings

Find Inverted next to your Mask and check the box — the hidden and visible areas swap instantly.

Mask settings in After Effects showing the Inverted checkbox enabled

Tweak Mask Feather and Mask Expansion if the edge looks too sharp or too tight for what you need.

Layer in After Effects composition viewer showing an inverted mask area

One more thing

If you have multiple masks, you can invert only the one you need — each mask has its own Inverted toggle, so they work independently.

Related how-tos

How to draw masks in After Effects
How to feather a mask in After Effects
How to use mask expansion in After Effects

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