5.5

774Motion User Guide
To begin using masks, see Intro to simple shapes and masks in Motion and Intro to complex
shapes and masks in Motion. For more information about mask transparency, see Intro to
masks and transparency in Motion.
Paint strokes
Like shapes, paint strokes are used to create visual elements in a composition. Paint
strokes are drawn in the canvas in a single, continuous movement, or are created from
existing shapes. You can use a stylus and graphics tablet to draw paint strokes in a fluid
fashion, or you can use a mouse or trackpad.
To begin using paint strokes, see Intro to paint strokes in Motion.
As with all objects in Motion, shapes, masks, and paint strokes can be edited or animated
by keyframing their parameters or by applying behaviors. Additionally, the Shape Behaviors
category contains behaviors designed specifically to animate shapes, including a behavior
to sequence effects over the length of a paint stroke. For more information on using the
Shape behaviors, see Intro to Shape behaviors in Motion.
Add simple shapes and masks
Intro to simple shapes and masks in Motion
Use simple shapes and masks to quickly add a rectangular or elliptical form to your project.
Simple shapes and masks are easily manipulated in the canvas using onscreen controls
that modify height, width, curvature, or roundness. Simple shapes and masks have no
editable control points or individual splines.
You can add a simple shape or mask to a project in the following ways:
• Use the Rectangle tool or Circle tool to draw a simple rectangular shape or elliptical
shape in the canvas.
• Use the Rectangle Mask tool or Circle Mask tool to draw a simple rectangular mask or
elliptical mask in the canvas.
You can convert simple shapes or masks to complex shapes or masks with editable control
points using the Convert to Points command.