Mask problem

[Mejin]

Hello,

I have a problem with a character, where I need to mask some part of the mouth out... .

I did some lips with a shadow with the masking function "Clear mask, then add this layer to it" - so that the shadowvectorlayer stays just in the shape of the lip layer.

But now I need to mask some part of the lip-layer and the shadow-lip layer out.

If I now put a mask in my group - it just mask the shadow out - because of the mask-option of the lip layer. :/

The build is basically like someone would probably do it if one needet an eyeball with a pupil inside. There the eyeball would have the "Clear mask" - function so that the pupil doesn't go out at the edges and stays 'in the eyball'.

I could mask this in AE out but I would really prefer to have a way to to this in Anime Studio itself.... (11, not Moho yet :/).

Is there any way?

Best greetings!


//EDIT: I found a workaround... with referencing the mouth and blend the lip layer in another mask modus in the referenced one.. but.. puh - this is quite difficult. -_-

[synthsin75]

I'd have to see the setup, but I doubt you need to clear the mask. There's probably a simpler setup you could use.

[Greenlaw]

Yes, post a setup if you can. No need to use the original art if you can't, just show technically what's happening in your scene.

I agree with Wes, what you described sounds possibly more complicated than necessary. When I started using Masks, I know I tended to over-think the process and I've since learned there are often easier ways to get complex results.

Setting Masking aside for a moment, since it sounds like what you're really trying to do is mask a shadow, would the Clip Shadow To Group option make more sense than using a Mask?

It's just at thought. Without seeing an example, all we can do is guess at what you're doing.

[Mejin]

Hello,

here's a very basic file to show the problem...
https://we.tl/awiiLHKJxn

I have on the lips a Shadowmask - but need to get rid of the part of the lip which is going over the edge of the 'face'.

I can mask the oral cavity - but not the lips. :/

Greetings!

[synthsin75]

You don't need the MASKLipAway layer.
1. Make the Lip group masking Hide all.
2. Change the LIP mask to Add to mask, and the Mouthinside to Do not mask.
3. Make the Test group a Hide all mask, and the Body layer Add to mask.

[Mejin]

Hello,

thank you...

hm, but this is the result I got. :/
Shadow is masked, but the rest isn't.



In my final file I got a lip Switch-Layer with several groups for the mouthshapes - I guess I would need to put a mask in every switch-layer in some way(?).
Because in my file I got some bitmap images as body - so I guess i can't use the body as mask, as long as I don't create one(?)...

Greetings

[Greenlaw]

Sorry, I haven't had a chance to look at your file yet but does it do that when you render the frame or animation?

I've found that in certain masking situations, the layers will not mask properly in the workspace preview but the rendered artwork will look perfectly fine. For example, in some of my rigs, the character's eyes may float beside the head when they turn around in the workspace but the eyes will be masked out properly when rendered final. In these cases, I just ignore what the layers looks like in the preview as it doesn't affect the ability to animate the character or properly render the scene.

[synthsin75]

If you can't use the Body layer, because it's a bitmap, just move the MaskLipAway layer below the Lip group in the Test group, make the Test group Reveal all, and MaskLipAway Subtract from mask.

You will have to render to see the actual results of this masking.


For masked switches, see this post: viewtopic.php?p=164763#p164763

[Mejin]

Argh! Well. Yes. In the testfile I rendered the frame - but it didn't work. synthsin75 - you told me that, what I've tested/done before in the original file - but... I didn't render it in my file at that time. -_______-

Argh!!!

Thank you!

Well... about the Switch-Layer - I think my workaround is right now quite like that. ...

Hmpf. Well. Now I've to rethink which way I'm going now.

Thank you to you both again!