<p>Masks happen before effects so some act strange. Two main options:</p>

<ol>
<li>Apply the mask to a solid above your beam and then use Track Matte</li>
<li>Pre-comp your Beam and mask that instead</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-02T16:52:30.260Z
Thank you. I'm not sure what you mean by the second option, but I can use the first one.
John McDonald
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-02T09:45:24.903Z
2015-12-02T09:45:24.903Z
Ryan
<p>In After Effects, I want to use a mask to prevent an area from beein affected by a layer. I created a mask using the pen tool, but instead of masking the shape, the program masks the bounds of the shape. It "draws" a rectangle arround the path and masks everything except the rectangle.<br>
I am a beginner. What am I doing wrong?<br>
Thanks!  </p>

<p>Edit:<br>
The mask works for simple layers, but my layer has an beam effect on it.</p>

<after-effects><mask>
Mask not working
John McDonald
# Mask not working

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-01)

In After Effects, I want to use a mask to prevent an area from beein affected by a layer. I created a mask using the pen tool, but instead of masking the shape, the program masks the bounds of the shape. It "draws" a rectangle arround the path and masks everything except the rectangle.  
I am a beginner. What am I doing wrong?  
Thanks!

Edit:  
The mask works for simple layers, but my layer has an beam effect on it.

**Tags:** after-effects, mask


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-12-02. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

Masks happen before effects so some act strange. Two main options:

1. Apply the mask to a solid above your beam and then use Track Matte
2. Pre-comp your Beam and mask that instead

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you. I'm not sure what you mean by the second option, but I can use the first one.  

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