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AI-powered Object Matte

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Learn how to use the AI-powered Object Matte in Adobe After Effects to isolate and track subjects in your footage within a composition.

  Use new beta features

Object Matte is now available for testing and feedback. Try it now in After Effects (beta).

Get started

In the latest version of After Effects Beta, a new set of core tools has been introduced to expand rotoscoping beyond a brush-only workflow. This approach combines single-click AI subject selection with precise manual refinement and intelligent propagation across time.

Object Matte is built on the same AI technology that powers the Object Mask workflow in Premiere, delivering faster and more intuitive results with significantly less manual effort. It enables you to isolate specific areas of footage to apply effects, color corrections, or selectively blur elements with greater speed and control.

The Object Matte core tools are visible in the menu bar and in the Composition panel. A visual element is selected for propagation and freezing.
Use the Object Matte tools to select a subject, propagate the matte, and freeze the result for compositing.

After Effects now has the following Object Matte core tools to streamline and refine your rotoscoping and masking workflows: 

  • Object Matte Tool
  • Quick Selection Tool
  • Selection Brush Tool
  • Refine Edge Tool

Tools in the Object Matte suite 

Object Matte Tool

Quickly isolate objects in your footage with one-click or marquee-based selection using Rectangle   or Lasso   tool. This tool leverages advanced segmentation logic to accurately propagate across frames, reducing manual effort for complex scenes.

Quick Selection Tool 

Classic Roto Brush reimagined as Quick Selection Tool and optimized for faster, more intuitive workflows that allow you to click or drag over an object to select it based on its color, contrast, and edges in the footage.

Selection Brush Tool

For fine-tuned adjustments, use Selection Brush Tool, which allows additive and subtractive strokes with enhanced cursor feedback. Modifier keys make switching between selection modes seamless.

Refine Edge Tool

Paint along the edges of the object to capture and maintain natural edges and intricate details, such as hair, using Refine Edge Tool.

Use Object Matte in your composition

  1. Create a composition, import a footage, and add it to the timeline. 

  2. Double-click the footage in the Timeline panel to open it in the Layer panel.

  3. Select the Object Matte Tool   from the menubar. You can also use the following keyboard shortcuts to activate this tool:

    • macOS: Option + W
    • Windows: Ctrl + W

  4. Selecting Object Matte Tool   enables access to the following options as well:

    • Quick Selection Tool
    • Selection Brush Tool
    • Refine Edge Tool

  5. Hover over your subject with the Object Matte Tool to preview the matte, then select to apply it. Use the Quick Selection Tool to refine and improve the selection as needed.

    When using the Object Matte Tool, live update enables changes to propagate dynamically, providing continuous feedback as you refine your selection.

  6. You can also use marquee-based selection tools for object selection – Rectangle   , Lasso    , or switch to other tools to further refine the matte as needed.

  7. Once satisfied with the base frame selection, begin propagation by moving forward through the timeline:

    • Pressing the spacebar 
    • Use these keyboard shortcuts to move frame by frame
    • Move the CTI (Current-time indicator) to a target frame manually

  8. After Effects tracks and propagates (analyzes the movement of the subject and extends the matte) the matte across frames. Review the propagated result and refine any problem areas using the available selection tools.

    The green segments along the timeline represent frames where the matte has been successfully propagated.
    The green segments along the timeline represent frames where the matte has been successfully propagated.

  9. You can use the Effect Controls panel (Effects > Object Matte) to refine mask properties and adjust settings after propagation.

    The Effects Controls panel is open, and the Object Matte effect's details are open for adjusting its properties.
    Use the Effect Controls panel to refine mask properties and adjust settings after propagation.

  10. When propagation is complete, select Freeze at the bottom of the Layer panel to lock the matte. Return to the Composition panel to continue compositing.

Tip
  • Navigate to the Timeline panel, untwirl the layer's properties, and go to Effects > Object Matte > Selections to view the individual mask selections and work with their keyframes.
  • If you need manual control, detailed edge refinement, or a traditional rotoscoping workflow, learn how to work with Roto Brush and Refine Matte.

Join the conversation about Object Matte in the After Effects (Beta) community.

 

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