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Scaling and rotating selected masks or points


    In one step, you can scale and rotate an entire mask (or selected points in one or more masks) using the Free Transform Points command. When you use this command, a bounding box surrounds the selected points, and an anchor point displays in the center of the bounding box to mark the effect point for the current transformation. You can scale and rotate the selected control points by dragging the bounding box or its handles. You can also change the point from which the mask rotates or scales by moving the bounding box anchor point. The Free Transform Points bounding box handles and anchor point exist independently of the handles and anchor point for the layer.

    Note: When you animate rotation using Free Transform Points, the vertices of the mask are interpolated in a straight line from keyframe to keyframe. Because of this, the results may be different than you expect.

    Illustration with these callouts: A. Free Transform Points bounding box B. Bounding box handle C. Bounding box anchor point D. Layer anchor point
    A. Free Transform Points bounding box B. Bounding box handle C. Bounding box anchor point D. Layer anchor point

To move, scale, or rotate a mask or control points:

  1. Display the layer containing the mask or masks you want to transform in the Composition or Layer window.
  2. With the selection tool chosen, do one of the following:
    • To change a certain number of points, select the control points you want to transform and choose Layer > Mask > Free Transform Points.
    • To transform the entire mask, select it in the Timeline window and choose Layer > Mask > Free Transform Points.
  3. To move the bounding box's anchor point, position the selection tool over the bounding box anchor point (the bounding box anchor point) until the selection tool changes to a move anchor point icon (the selection tool changes to a move anchor point icon.). Drag to position the anchor point.
  4. Do any combination of the following:
    • To move the mask or selected points, position the pointer inside the bounding box and drag.
    • To scale the mask or selected points, position the pointer on a bounding box handle and, when the pointer changes to a straight, double-sided arrow (the pointer changes to a straight, double-sided arrow.), drag to a new size. Hold down Shift as you drag to constrain the scale. Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) as you drag to scale around the bounding box's anchor point.
    • To rotate the mask or selected points, position the pointer just outside the Free Transform bounding box and, when the pointer changes to a curved double-sided arrow (the pointer changes to a curved double-sided arrow.), drag to rotate.
  5. To close the Free Transform bounding box, double-click anywhere in the Composition or Layer window.