Apple Motion 5.1.1 - Manual (Page 828)

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Shapes, masks, and paint strokes overview
Shapes, masks, and paint strokes are vector-based objects that you create in Motion.
Shapes
Shapes are primarily used to create visual elements in a composition. A single shape can be used
as a background or colored graphic in a composition, or you can create complex illustrations that
combine many shapes. Shapes work like any other layer, except that they are created in Motion,
by clicking point by point in the Canvas, and are stored in your project file. Each control point
in a shape defines some sort of corner or curve, and the actual spline that makes up the shape
connects these control points together like a connect-the-dots drawing. You can edit or animate
any shape by moving and editing its control points or by applying a Shape behavior. Each
illustration below is composed of shapes created in Motion.
Character drawn in Motion using Bezier tool Replicator using Bezier shape
A special category of behavior designed for shapes lets you animate your shape-based
illustrations. Using Shape behaviors, you can oscillate the positions of shape control points,
track shapes to other moving objects and video clips, draw shapes over time (“writing on”), and
randomize or “wriggle” a shape’s edges. For more information, see
Shape behaviors overview on
page 871. As with all layers in Motion, you can also apply Basic Motion, Parameter, and Simulation
behaviors to shapes. Additionally, you can keyframe a shape’s control points. For more
information, see
Keyframe the Shape Animation parameter on page 884.
Shapes, masks, and paint strokes
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