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Using stencil and silhouette layer modes


    The stencil and silhouette layer modes use either a layer's alpha channel or its luminance (luma) values to affect the alpha channel of all layers beneath the layer. This differs from the track matte, which affects only one layer.

    Stencil mode

    Cuts through all layers, so you can show multiple layers through the frame of the stencil layer's alpha channel.

    Silhouette mode

    Blocks out all layers below it, so you can cut a hole through several layers at once.

    Note: The stencil and silhouette layer modes affect all layers below the layer to which they are applied. To keep the silhouette and stencil layer modes from cutting through or blocking all layers underneath, nest the layer in a composition. For more information on nesting, see Creating animations by nesting compositions.

    With Stencil Luma, the lighter pixels of the layer are more opaque than the darker pixels. With Silhouette Luma, the lighter pixels of the layer are more transparent than the darker pixels.

    Stencil (left) shows all layers below through the frame of the stencil layer's alpha channel. Silhouette (right) cuts a hole through all layers below.
    Stencil (left) shows all layers below through the frame of the stencil layer's alpha channel. Silhouette (right) cuts a hole through all layers below.

To use the stencil or silhouette modes on a layer:

  1. Choose Transfer Controls from the pop-up menu at the bottom of the Timeline window.
  2. From the Mode pop-up menu for the layer you want to use as a stencil or silhouette, choose one of the following:
    • Stencil Alpha creates a stencil using the layer's alpha channel.
    • Stencil Luma creates a stencil using the layer's luma values.
    • Silhouette Alpha creates a silhouette using the layer's alpha channel.
    • Silhouette Luma creates a silhouette using the layer's luma values.