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Masking

OVERVIEW

Learn how masks can be used to display portions of a layer, often using another layer as a reference, making for more dynamic motion


Creating a Mask

You can establish a mask relationship between layers in the timeline. Hover over the layer you want to be the mask, and find the mask icon (half-filled circle). Click the icon and drag the arrow that appears to the layer you would like to mask. When you let go of the arrow, there will be two things will change in your timeline:

  1. The masking layer's mask icon will be solid yellow
  2. The masking layer's visibility will be turned off

By default, Fable will establish an additive mask association, causing the masked layer to only display the portions that overlap with the masking layer.

Even though the masking layer is hidden, it can still be animated or have effects associated with it. Use a combination of keyframes and effects on masking layers to create complex designs.

Inverting a Mask

If you would like the masked layer to be invisible in portions it overlaps with the masking layer, you need to invert the mask. In Fable, this is done by hovering over the masking layer's mask icon (should be solid yellow) and clicking the invert mask icon (square with a white circle inside) that appears in the pop-up. If you would like to reset the mask to an additive mask, simply click the icon again (square with a grey circle inside).

Deleting a Mask

If you would like to remove a mask, hover over the masking layer's mask icon (should be solid yellow) and click the x icon that appears in the pop-up.

FAQs

Is there a case where a mask may cause pixelation?

Blend Modes: Any blend mode besides normal on a masked layer will cause the canvas to pixelate

Layer Filters: If a layer has filter effects (e.g. hue), the layer will appear to pixelate

Significant Zoom-In: If you zoom-in on the canvas 250%+, a masked layer may appear to pixelate.