The new layer contains one shape
group for each selected character, plus ?¬?ll and stroke properties that match
those of the text (Figure 9.9).
Figure 9.9: Shape Layers can also be created from text layers in After Effects.
Shape Layers 237
Exercise 3: Animating Shapes and Path Operations
Now that you have experimented with the Shape Layers and have a basic
understanding of their attributes, let??™s create an animation using them. In this
exercise, you will also apply path operations to a Shape Layer. Path operations
offer distortion effects such as Pucker & Bloat, Twist, Zig Zag, and an autoanimating
Wiggle Paths. Figure 9.10 shows an example of each.
Figure 9.10: Examples of the path operations applied to a Shape Layer.
Another path operation that you will use is the Repeater. It creates virtual copies
of your shapes in the Comp Window. A project has been set up for you.
Open the 1. 03_Tunnel.aep project ?¬?le located inside the 01_Shapes folder inside
Chapter_09. It contains one composition labeled Tunnel.
There is one Shape Layer in the Timeline. The shape is a rounded rectangle with 2.
a 10-pixel stroke and no ?¬?ll. Twirl open Rectangle 1 to open the shape group.
Twirl open Transform: Rectangle 1 to view its transform properties.
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