How to Reopen Closed Paths in After Effects

https://youtu.be/ubVrkEboJ3Y

Adobe After Effects CC 2024: How to Reopen Closed Paths

**Description:
**This tutorial will show you how to reopen closed paths or shapes in Adobe After Effects CC 2024 to continue drawing the path using the Pen Tool.

Keyboard Shortcuts:
Pen Tool: G
Selection Tool: V
Deselect All: F2

**Chapters:
**00:00 Intro: About The Tutorial
00:25 How To Draw Paths/Shapes
00:46 Closed Path Indicator (next to cursor)
01:02 How To Reopen Closed Path
01:14 Properties Panel Tip
01:30 Activate Selection Tool (V)
01:54 Open Path
02:10 Drag Selection Over 1 Point
02:32 Pen Tool (G) Resume Drawing
03:00 Example 2: Bounding Box Fix

**Software Used:
**Adobe After Effects CC 2024 (Click To Try or Buy)

How To Draw Paths/Shapes Using the Pen Tool:

1. Deselect All (F2) in the Layers Panel
2. Go to top menu and click on Pen Tool (G)
3. Select Fill Color & Stroke
4. Click to add points
5. Click first point to ‘Close’ path (look for little circle next to cursor)

How To Reopen Closed Paths:

1. Select Shape Layer
2. Twirl open layer until ‘Paths’ is visible
3. Click on ‘Paths’ in the layer panel to select path
4. Activate Selection Tool (V)
5. Drag a selection over two vertices (path points)
6. Right-click on one of the vertices
7. Click on ‘Closed Path’ that should have check mark next to it
8. With Selection Tool (V) drag a selection over the vertex you want to resume drawing from
9. Select the Pen Tool (G)
10. Continue adding points
11. Close path when finished by clicking on the first vertex

How To Reopen Closed Paths after double-clicking and seeing Bounding Box:

1. Deselect All (F2) in the Layers Panel
2. Go to top menu and click on Pen Tool (G)
3. Select Fill Color & Stroke
4. Click to add points
5. Double-click to create bounding box (accidentally)
6. Tap Enter/Return to remove bounding box
7. With Selection Tool (V), drag selection over one vertex/point
8. Click on the Pen Tool (G)
9. Resume drawing path
10. Close path when finished