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Last updated on Dec 14, 2023

When applying effects, corrections, or adjustments within a mask, you may need to modify the mask to ensure the effect is applied exactly where you want it.

  1. To change the shape of a mask, drag a mask handle.
A blue rectangle with a hook and a line indicating where to drag the handle to change the shape of the mask.
Drag the handle in the middle to change its shape.

  1. To resize a mask, place your cursor just outside a vertex and press Shift. When the cursor becomes a double-sided arrow  , drag it to your desired size.
A blue rectangle with a double-sided arrow indicating where to drag the handle to resize the mask.
The double-sided arrow indicates that you can now resize the mask.

  1. To rotate the mask, place your cursor just outside a vertex. When your cursor becomes a curved double-sided arrow ,drag it to the desired angle. 
A blue rectangle with a double-sided curved arrow indicating where to drag the handle to rotate the mask.
The curved double-sized arrow indicates that you can now rotate the mask.

  1. To change the shape of the mask, move, add, or remove vertex points.
    • Move: Drag a vertex using the Selection tool.
    • Add: Place your cursor over a mask edge while pressing Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (macOS). When the cursor changes to a pen shape with a plus sign , select the spot you want to add the vertex.
    • Remove: Place your cursor over the point you want to remove while pressing Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (macOS). When the cursor changes to a pen shape with a minus sign, . select the point.

An example of how to use the cursor to select the spots you want to add the vertex and mask an object in a clip.

To move a mask

You can move a mask in increments of one unit or five units:

  • Move the mask by one unit: Select a control point, and then use the arrow keys on your keyboard to nudge the point.
  • Move the mask by five units: Select a control point, and then press Shift while using the arrow keys to nudge the point.

To delete a mask

To delete a mask, select the mask in the Effect Controls panel and press Delete on your keyboard.

Result

The appearance of the mask changes according to your edits.

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