Drawing a RotoBezier mask with the pen tool

Use the RotoBezier option in the Tools palette to create curved masks more quickly. The RotoBezier option automatically calculates the curved segments for you, thereby eliminating the need for direction lines.

You can convert any existing mask to a RotoBezier mask. However, Bezier masks that have adjusted direction lines change shape when converted to RotoBezier because After Effects calculates RotoBezier segments automatically. You can convert RotoBezier masks to Bezier without affecting the mask shape.

To create a RotoBezier mask:

1. In the Tools palette, select the pen tool, and then click the RotoBezier option.
2. In the Composition window, click to create a mask shape.

To convert a mask to a RotoBezier mask:

1. Select a mask in the Layer or Composition window.
2. Choose Layer > Mask > RotoBezier.

To change smooth corners to sharp corners using the RotoBezier mask option:

With the pen tool selected, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) an existing vertex.

Note: If you Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) a sharp corner, all corners become smooth.