Animating only in a shape/image

Hey guys!

I'm new here (and also to video editing...) and wanted to ask something. I can't seem to find a tutorial on something I want to do in Motion 5. I want to animate IN a shape or image. Let's say I import a picture of the apple logo (without background): how can i use the library effects (like the emitter effect presets) to show up only within the Apple logo shape? I tried all kinds of things like masking and blending options but the animations always play all over the place...

Thanks in advance!

You need to apply an Image Mask to the layer you want to cut out (right or control click the layer or use Shift/Cmd/M).

Then drag the image that is to supply the cutout shape into the Image Mask source well.

The source image for the cutout shape will either need to be black and white or have its own alpha channel. If the former select Luminance as the mask source channel, if the later you use the Alpha channel.

Thank you sooooo much! That's great!



Would you happen to know how I can export only the animated shape to a movie (without background) because right now when i export the animation to a quicktime movie I get a black background on in. I want to project it on a white wall using a projector.

Thanks!

OK, I'm sure you've thought of this but if you want to project it onto white and have the background not visible why don't you set the background colour to be white (i.e. make a layer that is a solid white colour)?

you can get an alpha channel with Animation or ProRes4444 but it's not going to be anything you can use with a projector.