<p>Like @stib said above, masks interpolate in a straight line. However, you can also use tools like the Smart Mask Interpolation panel to tell After Effects to re-examine how the masks are interpolated between each other and find a better route, but this creates a TON of keyframes (one per frame actually) so if you plan to make additional changes to the masks later, this isn't the best option.</p>
<p>If it were me, I would just do each line as its own animation, and use a 10-15 frame hand animated loop, so you have control over each individual line itself...once the first crease in the flag moves from one end to the other, you can just loop that part over and over...</p>
<p>More info on Smart Mask Interpolation here:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.provideocoalition.com/managing_moving_masks/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.provideocoalition.com/managing_moving_masks/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-30T18:10:17.683Z
2020-09-30T18:10:17.683Z
dumblook
<p>This is a continuation of a <a href="https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/14908/waving-flag-in-after-effects-from-vector/">previous question</a> where I asked how to animate a waving flag drawn in Illustrator. I received a really useful answer from @poor and I've followed it as closely as I could in addition to a useful tutorial by Adobe titled '<a href="http://tv.adobe.com/watch/no-stupid-questions-with-colin-smith/creating-organic-animations-using-illustrator-paths-in-after-effects/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Animating Organic Illustrator Paths in After Effects</a>'. I'm not sure if my drawing is too complicated for this process but I am near to getting the result I want, with just one last problem. I'll explain below and any help is greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>I've drawn each 'keyframe' of the flag waving and would like to smoothly transition in between them. This is what each stage of the flag looks like (each one is a different layer):
<img src="https://i.sstatic.net/x8Fs1.png" alt="Flags"></p>

<p>Each flag ends up being composed of 6 masks when I paste them into the Path value of Mask in After Effects (because they aren't entirely closed). I paste the first flag, keyframe all 6 masks, then with the 6 masks highlighted paste the next flag in, and keyframe it:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/KBGvk.png" alt="6 Masks"></p>

<p>When I play this as is, it does a really weird maneuver. I've tried setting the 'First Vertex' with no luck either:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/uW7Y9.gif" alt="Flag animation"></p>

<p>Even the pole, which is consistent throughout, changes shape a little. Is what I'm trying to accomplish possible, or perhaps are the 'organic shapes' a little too complicated for smooth transitions between? Thanks a lot for any input or advice.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-02-27T13:40:39.627Z
Could you please add your illustrator file to the question? That would make it easier to find a solution...
p2or
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-02T03:40:22.760Z
@poor Sure, here is the file for CC and CS6: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/718zdo0stwk2mef/AAB9VOEncuua2_vnd1NiEYTsa?dl=0
sstaccato
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-12T18:22:37.250Z
Thanks for the ai files - tested it today. I thought, this easily can fixed by setting the **first vertex** mentioned in the video here: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/no-stupid-questions-with-colin-smith/creating-organic-animations-using-illustrator-paths-in-after-effects/ _Right Click > Mask and Shape Path > Set First Vertex_, Sometimes it really helps, but not for the whole animation. The shape seems to be too complex for after effects - maybe there is too much movement. I will test it in the next days again.
p2or
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-03-13T01:42:33.050Z
Thanks for trying. I found this flag (http://aniconslibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Anicons-FlagPole.gif) as part of an animated icons library in After Effects. Maybe I should aim for a flag with no folds. Do you think that would work with the method you mentioned? A lot simpler.
sstaccato
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-03-05T12:40:35.910Z
It helps to remember that when you animate masks in AE the points always go in a straight line between where they are at one keyframe to where they are at the next.
stib
<after-effects>
Animating between mask paths in After Effects
sstaccato
# Animating between mask paths in After Effects

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-02-26)

This is a continuation of a [previous question](https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/14908/waving-flag-in-after-effects-from-vector/) where I asked how to animate a waving flag drawn in Illustrator. I received a really useful answer from @poor and I've followed it as closely as I could in addition to a useful tutorial by Adobe titled '[Animating Organic Illustrator Paths in After Effects](http://tv.adobe.com/watch/no-stupid-questions-with-colin-smith/creating-organic-animations-using-illustrator-paths-in-after-effects/)'. I'm not sure if my drawing is too complicated for this process but I am near to getting the result I want, with just one last problem. I'll explain below and any help is greatly appreciated.

I've drawn each 'keyframe' of the flag waving and would like to smoothly transition in between them. This is what each stage of the flag looks like (each one is a different layer):
![Flags](https://i.sstatic.net/x8Fs1.png)

Each flag ends up being composed of 6 masks when I paste them into the Path value of Mask in After Effects (because they aren't entirely closed). I paste the first flag, keyframe all 6 masks, then with the 6 masks highlighted paste the next flag in, and keyframe it:

![6 Masks](https://i.sstatic.net/KBGvk.png)

When I play this as is, it does a really weird maneuver. I've tried setting the 'First Vertex' with no luck either:

![Flag animation](https://i.sstatic.net/uW7Y9.gif)

Even the pole, which is consistent throughout, changes shape a little. Is what I'm trying to accomplish possible, or perhaps are the 'organic shapes' a little too complicated for smooth transitions between? Thanks a lot for any input or advice.

**Tags:** after-effects

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you please add your illustrator file to the question? That would make it easier to find a solution...  
> **username_0**: @poor Sure, here is the file for CC and CS6: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/718zdo0stwk2mef/AAB9VOEncuua2_vnd1NiEYTsa?dl=0  
> **username_1**: Thanks for the ai files - tested it today. I thought, this easily can fixed by setting the **first vertex** mentioned in the video here: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/no-stupid-questions-with-colin-smith/creating-organic-animations-using-illustrator-paths-in-after-effects/ _Right Click > Mask and Shape Path > Set First Vertex_, Sometimes it really helps, but not for the whole animation. The shape seems to be too complex for after effects - maybe there is too much movement. I will test it in the next days again.  
> **username_0**: Thanks for trying. I found this flag (http://aniconslibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Anicons-FlagPole.gif) as part of an animated icons library in After Effects. Maybe I should aim for a flag with no folds. Do you think that would work with the method you mentioned? A lot simpler.  
> **username_2**: It helps to remember that when you animate masks in AE the points always go in a straight line between where they are at one keyframe to where they are at the next.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-09-30. Score: 1

Like @username_2 said above, masks interpolate in a straight line. However, you can also use tools like the Smart Mask Interpolation panel to tell After Effects to re-examine how the masks are interpolated between each other and find a better route, but this creates a TON of keyframes (one per frame actually) so if you plan to make additional changes to the masks later, this isn't the best option.

If it were me, I would just do each line as its own animation, and use a 10-15 frame hand animated loop, so you have control over each individual line itself...once the first crease in the flag moves from one end to the other, you can just loop that part over and over...

More info on Smart Mask Interpolation here:

<https://www.provideocoalition.com/managing_moving_masks/>


---

