Creating a colored masking effect

This tutorial covers the creation of a masking effect where different colored shapes will appear to pass through a given object. In this example we will be using text for the object. The final object product should look like this:

OK, lets get started.

1. On the main timeline layer 1 insert a key frame (if it's not already there).
2. Type is a word (I'll be using my business name).
3. Turn the word into a graphic symbol...... (f8) then "graphic"
4. You may want to name the new symbol. It's not necessary for this example but it's always a good idea.
5. Now extend our key frame to frame 60.

1. Double click on your symbol so that you can work on the timeline within the symbol.
2. name the layer with the text "text"
3. create a new layer below the text layer and name it "shape1"
4. create a shape like a square or circle without the outline. Give it a color and place it to the side of the text.
5. now click on frame 30 and create a key frame (f6)
6. click back on frame 1 and choose shape tween from the properties pallet. You should see a green arrow running across the frames. (see below)
7. now follow the same steps (3-6) for as many shapes and colors as you wish.Vary the number of frames you use for your tweens, but don't go over 60. Remember you can change the shape of each shape between key frames. For example you may start with a square on frame 1 and then put a circle on the last key frame. As long as your shape does not have an outline the shape will morph from one to the other. This makes interesting effects.

1. In this example I created three layers of colored shapes.
2. Extend the text layer as far out to frame 60.
3. Now Rt. Click on the text layer and choose "mask"
4. It should mask the layer below it.
5. click the the shape layers which were not masked and drag them by their titles under the text layer. They should now be included in the mask.

That's it. Now you have a very cool text effect.