Use Offset Paths shape effect to alter shapes

Use Offset Paths shape effect to alter shapes

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Adobe After Effects User Guide

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Applies to: Adobe After Effects

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Use this page to learn how to use the Offset Paths shape effects to alter shapes and create shape repeaters
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Path operations are similar to effects. These live operations act nondestructively on a shape’s path to create a modified path that other shape operations (such as fills and strokes) can apply to. The original path is not modified. One of them is Offset Paths - it expands or contracts a shape by offsetting the path from the original path. For a closed path, a positive amount value expands the shape; a negative amount value contracts it.


Controls

You can select from the following properties:

  • Line Join: It specifies the appearance of the path where offset path segments come together. It has three options – 
    • Bevel Join: It is a squared-off connection.
    • Round Join: It is a rounder connection.
    • Miter Join: It is a pointed connection. 
  • Miter Limit: It determines the conditions under which a beveled join is used instead of a miter join. If the miter limit is 4, then when the length of the point reaches four times the stroke weight, a bevel join is used instead. A miter limit of 1 causes a bevel join.
  • Copies: Use it to make copies of a path or shape. By default, it is set to 1.
  • Copies Offset: Use it to move the shapes outward or inward. This enables you to create interesting backgrounds such as with a retro vibe. You can also create concentric copies to generate geometric textures, kaleidoscopic effect, and patterns. You can also create mandala designs, motion posters, and animate letters. If the letter copies tend to merge into each other, try reducing the stroke width.

What all can I do with it?

Duplicate-it-

Create concentric duplicates of a single shape path

Saves time and enables you to create experimental animations.

Relative

Animate their position relative to one another

Irrespective of how you animate all the copies, the position is relative to one another. They share the same anchor point and thus, animate at the same size and position.

OFscale

Offset the copies to create nesting or expanding animations

You can create a collapsing or an expanding effect with the Copies Offset property. For example, an animation where the shape appears from outside the frame and ends up collapsing entirely in the center.

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Apply other Shape customization features

In addition, you can also use other shape modifications such as dashes, trim paths to create different looks.

How to create repeating shapes using offset paths

Use the following steps to create repeating shapes:

  1. Create a composition, select Composition > New Composition.

    OR

    Click the New Composition tile in the home screen.

    OR

    Click the Comp icon in the Projects panel.

  2. Click the Shape tool icon and add the Star tool. In the Comp panel, draw the shape.

  3. It adds a shape layer in the Timeline panel. Click the triangle to reveal the components. Under it, on the right, click ADD and select Offset Paths from the dropdown.

    offset path
    Select offset paths shape effect

  4. If you want to expand the shape, set the amount to a positive value. To contract, set it to a negative value. 0 keeps it unchanged.

  5. To retain the style of edges of the shape, In the Line Join property, select Miter Join from the dropdown. To learn more about the different Line Join options, see Experiment with the shape repeaters with different line join options.

  6. If you want to add motion to this, use keyframes. Click the stopwatch next to the Copies Offset property and adjust the values. You can start with smaller values and gradually increase them. Every time you change the value, a keyframe gets added – based on the current time indicator. To learn more, see Set or add keyframes.

Experiment with the shape repeaters with different line join options

You can chose from the different line join options that control the roundness of the edges. When you create copies and offset them with bevel or round joins, you can get different designs from your shape. Miter Join retains the original shape. It is best to experiment and see what works for you!

Mitler-joint

Miter Join gies you pointed connection.

Round-joint

Round Join gives you rounder, soft edges.

Bevel-joint

Bevel Join gives you squared or rectangular edges.

Example - Create concentric shape repeaters of letters

If you want to create and experiment with this animation, download the sample .aep project to get started. You can play around with the offset path shape effect and build on top of this animation.

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Download

Get file
Concentric shape repeater

Have a question or an idea?

ask-the-community

Now that you have understood how this feature works, come to the community for some real-life examples, and to share your work. We would love to hear from you and see what you create with offset path shape effect!