<p>To scale a mask as if you were using the group select tool in Illustrator either alt-click the mask, or hit <kbd>cmd/ctrl</kbd><kbd>T</kbd>.  It's truly perplexing how all the Adobe apps have different tools and shortcuts for the same tasks. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-28T12:01:34.317Z
2015-11-28T12:01:34.317Z
stib
<p>If you want to just create an animated writing effect, I use this script:
<a href="http://aescripts.com/quickdraw/" rel="nofollow">http://aescripts.com/quickdraw/</a></p>

<p>It works better for complex shapes than the <a href="https://library.creativecow.net/articles/devis_andrew/AE-Basics-30-The-Write-On-Effect/video-tutorial" rel="nofollow">built in write-on effect</a> in AE.</p>

<p>Alternatively, this script allows you to scale paths: 
<a href="http://aescripts.com/shapes-and-masks/" rel="nofollow">http://aescripts.com/shapes-and-masks/</a></p>

<p>Have a look at the video from about 4m30s in:
https://youtu.be/3SSsgdeMSmw?t=4m31s</p>

<p>But I think what you need is the first one from the sounds of it...</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-09-29T08:51:11.920Z
2015-09-29T08:51:11.920Z
tomh
<p>I have an imported illustrator image that I'm trying to create a stroke mask over so I can animate it's reveal (like someone writing it). Unfortunately, when I try to use the pen tool on the layer it keeps changing the cursor to the "add point" which then makes the next click a brand new path. It's basically impossible to make any kind of path this way. </p>

<p>So, I made an adjustment layer and drew the mask on top of that. But when I copy and paste the mask onto the illustrator layer it's scaled waaaay up. I can't find a way to scale the mask down. When I click on the mask it doesn't give me the box around it, only the actual stroke points (which just move that one point).</p>

<p>Is there not a way to scale a path?</p>

<after-effects><animation>
scaling a stroke mask in after effects?
jonathan
# scaling a stroke mask in after effects?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-07)

I have an imported illustrator image that I'm trying to create a stroke mask over so I can animate it's reveal (like someone writing it). Unfortunately, when I try to use the pen tool on the layer it keeps changing the cursor to the "add point" which then makes the next click a brand new path. It's basically impossible to make any kind of path this way.

So, I made an adjustment layer and drew the mask on top of that. But when I copy and paste the mask onto the illustrator layer it's scaled waaaay up. I can't find a way to scale the mask down. When I click on the mask it doesn't give me the box around it, only the actual stroke points (which just move that one point).

Is there not a way to scale a path?

**Tags:** after-effects, animation


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-11-28. Score: 1

To scale a mask as if you were using the group select tool in Illustrator either alt-click the mask, or hit `cmd/ctrl``T`. It's truly perplexing how all the Adobe apps have different tools and shortcuts for the same tasks.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-09-29. Score: 0

If you want to just create an animated writing effect, I use this script:
<http://aescripts.com/quickdraw/>

It works better for complex shapes than the [built in write-on effect](https://library.creativecow.net/articles/devis_andrew/AE-Basics-30-The-Write-On-Effect/video-tutorial) in AE.

Alternatively, this script allows you to scale paths:
<http://aescripts.com/shapes-and-masks/>

Have a look at the video from about 4m30s in:
https://youtu.be/3SSsgdeMSmw?t=4m31s

But I think what you need is the first one from the sounds of it...


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