You can interpret "copy a trim path" in two main ways in After Effects: copying the path shape that a Trim Paths animator is applied to, or copying the Trim Paths animator property itself, including its settings (Start, End, Offset). This guide covers both methods.
Copying the Trim Paths Animator Property
The most straightforward way to copy the Trim Paths animator settings from one shape group or layer to another is to copy the property itself. This transfers the Start, End, and Offset values, including any keyframes.
Here’s how to do it:
- Locate the Source: In the Timeline panel, navigate to the layer and the specific shape group (under Contents) that has the Trim Paths animator you want to copy.
- Select Trim Paths: Expand the group properties until you see the "Trim Paths" property. Click directly on the words "Trim Paths" to select the entire animator property.
- Copy: Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (macOS) to copy the selected Trim Paths property.
- Locate the Destination: Navigate to the target shape layer or shape group where you want to paste the Trim Paths animator.
- Paste: Select the destination layer or group, and press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (macOS).
The Trim Paths animator, along with its settings and keyframes, will be pasted into the selected destination.
Copying and Pasting a Path
The provided reference discusses copying and pasting a path. This method is useful when you want to use the exact shape from one mask or shape layer's path property on another layer or property.
According to the reference video excerpt:
Open it up click on path. Control v and we're going to repeat. That. Now once we have all those masks converted into paths.
This indicates a process where a path has been copied (presumably from a mask or another shape layer's path property) and is being pasted into the path property of another element.
Here's the general process for copying a path:
- Select the Source Path: Navigate to the layer containing the path you want to copy (it could be a Mask Path or a Shape Layer's Path property). Expand the layer properties until you see the "Path" property under Mask or Shape. Click on the "Path" property name to select it.
- Copy the Path: Press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (macOS) to copy the path shape data.
- Select the Destination Path Property: Go to the target layer or shape group where you want to paste the path. Expand its properties until you locate the "Path" property you want to paste into (e.g., a Mask Path on a solid, or a Path property under a Shape group). Click on the "Path" property name to select it.
- Paste the Path: Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (macOS). As mentioned in the reference, you paste by using Ctrl+V into the path property.
This replaces the existing path shape in the destination with the copied path shape. You would then need to apply and adjust a separate Trim Paths animator to this new path if desired.
Summary Table
| Method | What is Copied? | How to Copy | How to Paste | Purpose | Related to Reference? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copying Trim Paths Animator | The "Trim Paths" property (Settings, Keyframes) | Select "Trim Paths" property, Ctrl+C/Cmd+C | Select destination group/layer, Ctrl+V/Cmd+V | Apply same trim animation to a different shape | Indirectly (Applies to a path) |
| Copying a Path Shape | The actual vector path shape points | Select "Path" property, Ctrl+C/Cmd+C | Select destination "Path" property, Ctrl+V/Cmd+V | Use the same shape contour for different elements | Yes (Directly supported by excerpt) |
Understanding the difference between copying the animator and copying the path shape is key to achieving the desired result in After Effects.
