How To Use ValueAtTime Expression To Loop Mask & Shape Paths in After Effects

https://youtu.be/RE46KofmR4c

Adobe After Effects CC 2024: How To Use ValueAtTime Expression To Loop Mask & Shape Paths

**Description:
**This tutorial will show you how to use the ValueAtTime Expression to loop Mask & Shape Paths in After Effects as a workaround or substitute for the loopOut Expression.

**ValueAt Time Expression:
**
valueAtTime(time%key(numKeys).time)

**loopOut Express Limitations:

**loopOut Expression works on Transform Properties (Anchor, Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity)
loopOut Expression does not work on the user-defined Mask or Shape Path Properties.

ValueAtTime Expression Notes:

Changing the position of the keyframe affects where the loop starts and ends.

If the keyframes are at the start of the Timeline it will loop normally.
If you move further down the timeline it looks at the empty space as part of the loop

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Chapters:
00:00 Intro: About The Tutorial
00:16 Transform vs. Mask/Shape Paths
00:32 loopOut Error Message
00:44 Workaround: Use valueAtTime
01:01 Example: Mask + Shape Path Animation
01:27 Preview Animation + Error Message
01:46 Adding valueAtTime Expression
02:15 Note: Placement of Keyframes
02:49 Moving Keyframes Down The Timeline
03:41 Outro

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

How To Use The ValueAtTime Expression:

1. Create a new Composition
2. Add Text Layer
3. Create a Mask using the Shape Tool
4. Animate Mask Path property to reveal text
5. Copy keyframes and move CTI forward and paste keyframes
6. Go to Animation Menu
7. Click on ‘Keyframe Assistant’
8. Select ‘Time-Reverse Keyframes’ to animate text off
9. Press Option or Alt and click on Stopwatch next to ‘Mask Path’
10. Enter ValueAtTime Expression >>>>>
11. valueAtTime(time%key(numKeys).time)
12. Press Spacebar to Preview
13. Repeat for Shape Layer Animations**
    **