MIME-Version: 1.0
Date: Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:51:58 -0800
Message-ID: <CAJbB4ob5nU3-aePrUryVTVTw6JaUywetk_HMr37A+kgv7T2zBg@mail.gmail.com>
Subject: Adding opacity outside of a mask
From: Stephen Buck <buck415@gmail.com>
To: AE-List@media-motion.tv
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Hi everyone.

New AE user here, in the process of creating a software demo. I've looked
through several of the tutorials on Adobe TV, consulted the official Help,
and was unable to find an answer to my question so I'd like to post it here.

I used Adobe Story to write the narration for a software tutorial, Snagit
to record the screen video, put those two together in Premiere Pro. The
timing matches well enough, so now I want to apply some simple special
effects using After Effects.

Every so often when I talk about a control in the software, I want the
screen to dim and only that particular control to be bright.

Being new to using AE, I'm assuming that I can use a mask to accomplish
this, but when I apply the mask, everything outside of the mask blacks-out
as illustrated here:

http://buckspub.com/ae-list-questions/mask-question-1.jpg

Ideally, I want what's black to be at 50% or 60% opacity so the remainder
of the program can still be seen.

I've been reviewing the Help and Tutorials, but maybe I'm just so
overwhelmed with information that I'm overlooking the answer that's right
in front of me.

If someone could refer me to a tutorial to answer my question, or provide a
good string of keywords to help me find the answer it would be greatly
appreciated.

Thank you,
Buck

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<div dir=3D"ltr">Hi everyone.<br><br>New AE user here, in the process of cr=
eating a software demo. I&#39;ve looked through several of the tutorials on=
 Adobe TV, consulted the official Help, and was unable to find an answer to=
 my question so I&#39;d like to post it here.<br>
<br>I used Adobe Story to write the narration for a software tutorial, Snag=
it to record the screen video, put those two together in Premiere Pro. The =
timing matches well enough, so now I want to apply some simple special effe=
cts using After Effects.<br>
<br>Every so often when I talk about a control in the software, I want the =
screen to dim and only that particular control to be bright.<br><br>Being n=
ew to using AE, I&#39;m assuming that I can use a mask to accomplish this, =
but when I apply the mask, everything outside of the mask blacks-out as ill=
ustrated here:<br>
<br><a href=3D"http://buckspub.com/ae-list-questions/mask-question-1.jpg">h=
ttp://buckspub.com/ae-list-questions/mask-question-1.jpg</a><br><br>Ideally=
, I want what&#39;s black to be at 50% or 60% opacity so the remainder of t=
he program can still be seen.<br>
<br>I&#39;ve been reviewing the Help and Tutorials, but maybe I&#39;m just =
so overwhelmed with information that I&#39;m overlooking the answer that=
9;s right in front of me.<br><br>If someone could refer me to a tutorial to=
 answer my question, or provide a good string of keywords to help me find t=
he answer it would be greatly appreciated.<br>
<br>Thank you,<br>Buck<br><br></div>

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