How to copy paste a mask from Illustrator to After Effects

[mikten]

So I'm trying to learn how to do the write-on effect on After Effects with this video by Dan Stevers as a guide. Link is below:

Write-On Magic - After Effects Tutorial - YouTube

I'm trying to copy paste a mask from Illustrator to After Effects. In the video, Dan simply uses Command + C to copy and then Command + V to paste it into After Effects. I'm trying to do the same thing but it never pastes the mask to AE. Would anyone have an idea of how to solve this? I tried to create a clipping mask from the vector file first but this didn't help either. Please help!

[emanuelecolombo · Accepted solution]

Try to create a new mask in After Effects (any kind of mask, a circle is fine), then add a keyframe on the mask path value, put the timeline cursor on it and press cmd-v

Let me know if it works

[Rick Gerard]

Select the path in Illustrator and Ctrl/Cmnd + c to copy.

Inside After Effects select a layer, select the pen tool, click anywhere with the pen tool and set the first vertex, then Ctrl/Cmnd + v to paste. You've just about got to have the path started and selected to get this to work.

[mikten]

Tried this method and it worked too. Thanks so much!

[Igor5E1F]

thank you very much Rick. This saves me a lot of time.

[mikten]

Thank you! Big help.