Create Reveal Animations with Track Mattes

Track mattes create the classic reveal effect where text or imagery appears to slide, grow, or fade into view through a defined shape. It's the foundation of clean, professional title animations.

Setting Up a Track Matte

1. Create your content layer (text, image, or video)
2. Create a shape layer or solid directly above it — this is your matte
3. On the content layer, set the Track Matte dropdown to Alpha Matte
4. The content is now only visible where the matte layer exists

Animating the Reveal

1. Select the matte layer
2. Animate its Position, Scale, or Mask Path to create movement
3. The content reveals as the matte moves

Common Reveal Types

Wipe Reveal: Animate a rectangle shape's position from left to right across the text. The text appears as if being written or sliding in.

Scale Reveal: Start the matte small, scale to 100%. Content appears to burst outward from a point.

Circular Reveal: Use an ellipse shape, animate scale from 0 to full. Creates a spotlight or iris effect.

Alpha vs. Luma

Alpha Matte uses the matte layer's opacity/shape. Luma Matte uses the brightness values — white areas reveal, black areas hide, gray areas are partially transparent. Luma mattes are powerful for gradient-based fades and organic reveals.