by Aris Melachroinos·Workflow
Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.
Earns its place for solving a narrow, recurring annoyance with a two-button flow, plus KBar support and coverage from CC 2018 through 2025.
Mask Unlinker is a script by Aris Melachroinos that breaks the connection between a mask and the layer it sits on in After Effects. Normally a mask follows the layer's transformations; with this tool, you can move the layer while the mask stays put, which removes the need for separate matte layers.
The workflow is short. Select a mask of a layer, or click the third icon to quickly grab the mask of the selected layer, then press Unlink. From that point the layer can be moved without affecting the mask. To relink, select the mask again, best done with the third button since unlinked masks can't be selected in the composition panel, then press Link.
Version 1.3 works with masks on 3D layers, where Z rotation and X/Y position are supported, and warns when a mask has feather points. It also adds KBar support with included instructions and icons. Compatibility spans Adobe After Effects 2018 through 2025, and a demo video is available.
Mask Unlinker is best for after Effects users who need to move a layer without shifting its masks, avoiding separate matte layers.
Mask Unlinker is completely free to download and use.
Mask Unlinker runs on Adobe After Effects 2018 and later, with listed compatibility spanning CC 2018, CC 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Version 1.3 was updated on May 14, 2023. On a supported release you can select a mask, press Unlink to detach it from the layer's transformations, then press Link to reconnect it. Check the developer's page to confirm the current version against your build before downloading.
Mask Unlinker works with masks on 3D layers as of version 1.3, which fixed an error that previously occurred when unlinking a mask from a 3D layer. On those layers, support is limited to Z rotation and X/Y position. The same version also added a warning when a mask has feather points, so you're alerted before unlinking in that case. Behaviour for other transform types on 3D layers isn't covered here.
Mask Unlinker added KBar support in version 1.3, and instructions and icons are included for setting it up. That release also brought smaller buttons and icons. The core flow stays the same: select a mask, click Unlink, and the layer can move without affecting the mask; to relink, select the mask again using the third button and press Link. A demo video is available for the tool.
Mask Unlinker is listed as free in this catalog. Pricing and licensing can change, so check the developer's page for the current terms before you download. The script covers Adobe After Effects 2018 and later, and version 1.3 dates to May 14, 2023. Its function is to unlink masks from a layer's transformations so you can move the layer without moving the mask, which removes the need for separate matte layers.
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