Curve Mask
Updated: 4 Dec 2023
Generates an image using user created shapes.
Curve Mask
Method #
This node generates a mask by using a shape created using user created points.
With the scene paused and this node selected, you can create new points by left clicking in the viewport. Left click dragging moves the selected point around and right clicking a point will delete it. Using Ctrl left click dragging changes the curve of the line into and out of that point.
To close the mask you need to click on the first point.
This node can be connected to any node which accepts an image input.
Parameters
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Active
Enables or disables the effect. Disabling the effect means it will no longer compute, so disabling a node when not in use can improve performance.
Preview In Viewport
Preview the generated image as an overlay in the viewport.
- Off : No preview is generated.
- RGBA : Preview the image blended with alpha in the viewport.
- RGB : Preview the colour channels in the viewport.
- Alpha : Preview the alpha channel in the viewport.
- PIP : Preview the image blended with alpha in the viewport, in a smaller picture in picture display, on top of the existing content.
Width
The resolution of the generated image horizontally.
Height
The resolution of the generated image vertically.
Update Time Mode
How the generator updates with relation to the timecode.
- Locked To Timecode : The generator animations are locked to the timecode and the same time will always yield the same result.
- Running / Loopable : The generator animations are disconnected from the timecode and will run seamlessly at the end of the composition.
Feather
Makes a blur which follows around the edges of the curve mask shape.
Animate Points
Allows the points to be keyframe animatable.
Editor Colour
Change the colour of the curve mask line, visualised in the viewport.
Show Point Properties
Shows the position and bezier controls for all the points individually in the property panel.
These properties control how the generators are coloured and blended with other images.
Parameter Details Colour
Change the colour of the generated image.
Blend Amount
The amount the generated image blends with the project, depending on the compositing mode chosen.
Blend Mode
Choose how the image blends with the scene. See Blend Modes for details.
- Solid : The generator is solid, with a filled alpha channel. Blend amount is ignored.
- Blend : The generator RGBA values have matching alpha channels.
- Pre-Mul Blend : The RGB values are solid white, and the generator colours are stored in the alpha channel alpha. Usually gives the best results for colour blending.
Displays attributes for each contour point when Show Point Properties is enabled.
Parameter Details Points # X
Controls the X position of the contour point.
Points # Y
Controls the Y position of the contour point.
Points # Tx
Controls the contour handle in the ‘X’ direction
Points # Ty
Controls the contour handle in the ‘Y’ direction
Inputs
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Active | Enables or disables the effect. Disabling the effect means it will no longer compute, so disabling a node when not in use can improve performance. |
| Preview In Viewport |
Preview the generated image as an overlay in the viewport.
|
| Width | The resolution of the generated image horizontally. |
| Height | The resolution of the generated image vertically. |
| Update Time Mode |
How the generator updates with relation to the timecode.
|
| Feather | Makes a blur which follows around the edges of the curve mask shape. |
| Animate Points | Allows the points to be keyframe animatable. |
| Editor Colour | Change the colour of the curve mask line, visualised in the viewport. |
| Show Point Properties | Shows the position and bezier controls for all the points individually in the property panel. |
These properties control how the generators are coloured and blended with other images.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Colour | Change the colour of the generated image. |
| Blend Amount | The amount the generated image blends with the project, depending on the compositing mode chosen. |
| Blend Mode |
Choose how the image blends with the scene. See Blend Modes for details.
|
Displays attributes for each contour point when Show Point Properties is enabled.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Points # X | Controls the X position of the contour point. |
| Points # Y | Controls the Y position of the contour point. |
| Points # Tx | Controls the contour handle in the ‘X’ direction |
| Points # Ty | Controls the contour handle in the ‘Y’ direction |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Colour Ramp | Specify a range of colours the generator can use through its gradient. | Colour Ramp |
| Transform Modifiers | Apply the transforms of another node to this node. | Null |
| Target Node | Modifiy the rotations of the node to always direct the z axis towards the input. | Null |