<p>In Photoshop (or Illustrator), in a new layer above the vector shape, create a solid shape of the mask you want (with rounded corners). Export that layer alone as an image and import into AE.</p>

<p>Use auto-trace to create a mask from it. See <a href="https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/creating-shapes-masks.html#create_a_mask_from_channel_values_with_auto_trace" rel="nofollow">https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/creating-shapes-masks.html#create_a_mask_from_channel_values_with_auto_trace</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-02T05:23:53.757Z
2015-08-02T05:23:53.757Z
Gyan
<p>I have a Illustrator vector shape (It has a shape path around it). But I need a mask line in the middle of the shape. The problem with with doing it by drawing a shape line over it is that I can't get the corners right.  </p>

<p>I want to use the middle lined mask to do animations with. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/GUVrN.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/GUVrN.jpg" alt="This is what I am looking for"></a></p>

<p>Is there an easy way to achieve this? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-02T11:11:21.423Z
related: http://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/49643/how-to-use-after-effects-trim-path-with-an-illustrator-path/49975#49975
p2or
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-02T11:16:35.453Z
I knew that link already :) I used that for the animating part.
user3625118
<after-effects><shape>
Create middle lined mask in vector shape
user3625118
# Create middle lined mask in vector shape

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-01)

I have a Illustrator vector shape (It has a shape path around it). But I need a mask line in the middle of the shape. The problem with with doing it by drawing a shape line over it is that I can't get the corners right.

I want to use the middle lined mask to do animations with.

[![This is what I am looking for](https://i.sstatic.net/GUVrN.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/GUVrN.jpg)

Is there an easy way to achieve this?

**Tags:** after-effects, shape

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: related: http://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/49643/how-to-use-after-effects-trim-path-with-an-illustrator-path/49975#49975  
> **username_0**: I knew that link already :) I used that for the animating part.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-08-02. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

In Photoshop (or Illustrator), in a new layer above the vector shape, create a solid shape of the mask you want (with rounded corners). Export that layer alone as an image and import into AE.

Use auto-trace to create a mask from it. See <https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/creating-shapes-masks.html#create_a_mask_from_channel_values_with_auto_trace>


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