About Masks to Cropped Layers II

Masks to Cropped Layers II is a utility for After Effects designed to facilitate animation of vector graphics and to boost VFX compositing performance. It operates on layers that contain multiple masks, such as Illustrator artwork or Mocha‑tracked areas. For each mask the script creates a new solid or pre‑comp cropped to the mask’s dimensions, allowing independent animation and reduced render load. Mask sizes can be calculated with fast rectangular approximations or slower, pixel‑accurate bezier paths, and measured from a single frame, the work area, or the layer’s duration. If no masks are selected, all masks on the layer are processed; otherwise only the selected masks are used. Version 2.4 adds distinct label colours for open versus closed masks and includes extra elements for animating neon lights.

Features

• Calculates mask sizes using either basic rectangles (fast) or bezier paths (slower but pixel-accurate)
• Measures mask size from a single frame, the composition work area, or the layer’s duration
• Uses all masks on the layer when none are selected, or only the masks you manually select
• Two panel buttons to quickly select all open or all closed masks
• New layers can have their size padded out, with position values rounded to integers for sharper results
• Applies different label colours for open and closed masks
• Package includes additional elements for animating neon lights

Best for

Layers that contain several masks, such as imported Illustrator artwork or Mocha‑tracked regions, where individual mask animation and performance gains are needed.