by Chris Zwar·Workflow
Images © Chris Zwar. Used for product review; image policy.
Masks to Cropped Layers II earns its place in the aescripts library for turning multi-mask layers into individually cropped solids or pre-comps, a step that both frees up animation and cuts compositing overhead.
Masks to Cropped Layers II is a utility for After Effects aimed at animating vector graphics and improving the performance of VFX compositing. It works on layers that carry multiple masks, such as artwork pasted from Illustrator or areas tracked in Mocha.
Each mask is copied to a new solid for animation, or used to create a pre-comp. Every new layer is cropped to the size of its mask, giving flexibility for animation while dramatically improving performance.
Mask sizes can be calculated with basic rectangles for speed or bezier paths for pixel-accurate results, and measured from a single frame, the composition work area, or the layer's duration. When no masks are selected the script uses them all; select some manually and only those become new layers. Version 2.4 applies different label colours for open and closed masks, and the package includes additional elements for animating neon lights.
Masks to Cropped Layers II is best for layers carrying multiple masks, such as artwork pasted from Illustrator or areas tracked in Mocha.
Masks to Cropped Layers II is completely free to download and use.
Masks to Cropped Layers II lists compatibility with a wide range of After Effects releases, from CS6 and CC through CC 2014, CC 2015, CC 2015.3, CC 2017, CC 2018, CC 2019, and every version from 2020 up to 2026. That coverage spans older Creative Suite builds right up to the most recent releases. If your version falls within that range, the script should run; for anything outside it, check the developer's page on aescripts for the current details before installing.
Masks to Cropped Layers II is listed as free here in our catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the current details, download link, and any conditions, head to the developer's page on aescripts. The package also includes additional elements for animating neon lights alongside the core script, so it's worth checking exactly what's bundled when you grab it.
Masks to Cropped Layers II can calculate mask sizes in two ways: basic rectangles, which are fast, or bezier paths, which are slower but pixel-accurate. Beyond that choice, it can measure the mask size from a single frame, the composition work area, or the layer's duration. New layers can also have their size padded out, and position values rounded to integers for sharper results. Which combination you pick depends on whether you're prioritising speed or accuracy.
Masks to Cropped Layers II decides which masks to process based on your selection. If no masks are selected, it uses every mask on the layer; if you manually select some, only those become new layers. The panel also includes two buttons to quickly select all open or all closed masks, and version 2.4 applies different label colours to open and closed masks. Each selected mask is then copied to a new solid or used to create a pre-comp.
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