Scaling and Rotating Masks

Using the Free Transform Points command, you can scale and rotate all or part of one or more masks. Masks are rotated and scaled around their own anchor points, separate from the anchor point of the layer that contains them. As the word free suggests, these adjustments are controlled manually, not numerically, and they can't be keyframed to animate over time. Of course, you can still keyframe the rotation and scale of the layer containing the masks. (You can also animate each mask's properties, and with the Production Bundle, apply a Reshape effect.)

To move, scale, or rotate all or part of a mask:

1.	Open a Layer window for the layer that contains the mask you want to transform, or select the layer in the Comp window.
2.	Do one of the following: Select the mask or mask points you want to transform, and Choose Layer > Mask > Free Transform Points. Double-click a mask to transform it completely. A bounding box and mask anchor point appear (Figure 9.52). Figure 9.52. A bounding box and mask anchor point appear.
3.	To reposition the anchor point for the mask's bounding box, drag the anchor. The selection tool turns into a Move Anchor Point icon when you position it over the anchor point (Figure 9.53). Figure 9.53. If you drag the mask's anchor point, the Selection tool becomes a Move Anchor Point icon.
4.	Do any of the following: To move the mask or selected points, place the cursor inside the bounding box and drag to a new position (Figure 9.54). Figure 9.54. To move the mask or selected points, place the cursor inside the bounding box and drag to a new position. To scale the mask or selected points, place the cursor on one of the handles of the bounding box until it becomes a Scale icon , then drag (Figure 9.55). Figure 9.55. To scale the mask or selected points, place the cursor on one of the handles of the bounding box until it becomes a scale icon , then drag. To rotate the mask or selected points, place the pointer slightly outside the bounding box until it becomes a Rotation icon , then drag (Figure 9.56). Figure 9.56. To rotate the mask or selected points, place the pointer slightly outside the bounding box until it becomes a Rotation icon , then drag.
5.	To exit Free Transform Points mode, double-click anywhere in the Layer or Comp window, or press Enter.