<p>Like S-ed mentioned there are many ways.</p>

<p>I would Pre-compose all the layers I want masked. 
2 steps:</p>

<p>1) Select all layers you want masked, then click the menu item Layer -> Pre-Compose (or shift-command-C).</p>

<p>2) Then apply your mask to the Pre-comp that you just created. </p>

<p>This keeps the workflow simple.
Keeping things simple would allow you to create more complex effects.</p>

<p>Good luck with your project.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-30T17:41:08.053Z
2014-06-30T22:19:06.117Z
2014-06-30T22:19:06.117Z
eLouai
<p>Is it possible to create one mask or track matte mask on a parent null layer that applies to all child layers? Only way I've figured out is to apply a track matte to every layer I want masked which seems very inefficient. </p>

<p>Cheers.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Y253B.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-30T16:15:08.953Z
@Joonas not sure where this is coming from. I am usually pretty good about marking an answer as helpful or editing my original post to clarify questions...
user1676691
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-17T15:41:48.123Z
Yet a month has gone by since you asked this question and you still haven't clarified anything or selected a correct answer. You sure proved me wrong...
Joonas
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-18T14:04:22.773Z
@Joonas Sorry I ruined your day, man.
user1676691
<after-effects>
Can you mask a parent null object in Adobe After effects?
user1676691
# Can you mask a parent null object in Adobe After effects?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-06-18)

Is it possible to create one mask or track matte mask on a parent null layer that applies to all child layers? Only way I've figured out is to apply a track matte to every layer I want masked which seems very inefficient.

Cheers.

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Y253B.png)

**Tags:** after-effects

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @username_1 not sure where this is coming from. I am usually pretty good about marking an answer as helpful or editing my original post to clarify questions...  
> **username_1**: Yet a month has gone by since you asked this question and you still haven't clarified anything or selected a correct answer. You sure proved me wrong...  
> **username_0**: @username_1 Sorry I ruined your day, man.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-06-30. Score: 1

Like S-ed mentioned there are many ways.

I would Pre-compose all the layers I want masked.
2 steps:

1) Select all layers you want masked, then click the menu item Layer -> Pre-Compose (or shift-command-C).

2) Then apply your mask to the Pre-comp that you just created.

This keeps the workflow simple.
Keeping things simple would allow you to create more complex effects.

Good luck with your project.


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