How to use the pen tool in After Effects

The Pen Tool (G) gives you precise control for creating custom mask shapes with straight lines and smooth curves exactly where you need them.

Steps

Select your target layer and press G to activate the Pen Tool. Click to add straight points.

After Effects toolbar showing the Pen Tool selected

Click and drag to create bezier handles for smooth curves.

Drawing a custom shape using the Pen Tool in After Effects composition viewer

Close the path by clicking the first point you made. The mask appears under the layer with a Mask Path you can edit or adjust anytime.

Mask path created in After Effects using the Pen Tool

One more thing

If you accidentally create a shape layer instead of a mask, deselect everything with F2, then re-select the layer you want masked and draw again with the Pen Tool.

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How to use the pen tool in After Effects

Steps

One more thing

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