How to Create a Tapering Stroke Path in After Effects

Harness the transformative power of Adobe After Effects and unlock the secrets of tapered stroke paths, a technique that adds a touch of dynamism and visual intrigue to your animations. Embark on a journey of customization, where you’ll sculpt the trajectory of your strokes, guiding them to seamlessly fade out or thicken along their length. Unleash your creativity and elevate your designs with this indispensable skill, empowering you to create captivating visuals that leave a lasting impression.

Delve into the nuances of stroke path tapering and grasp the fundamental principles that govern this technique. Adjust the anchor points along your path, wielding them like delicate brushes to mold the shape and flow of your strokes. Experiment with the “Stroke Path Start” and “Stroke Path End” parameters, becoming an architect of time and space as you define the precise starting and ending points of your strokes. Explore the interplay between “Taper Options” and “Offset Paths,” discovering how these settings orchestrate the transition between varying stroke widths. As you navigate these parameters, you’ll unravel the secrets of tapered stroke paths, unlocking their full potential.

Harnessing the power of tapered stroke paths opens up a world of creative possibilities. Create mesmerizing animations where lines dance across the screen, their widths gracefully fluctuating. Design captivating logos that feature intricate, tapered strokes, instantly capturing the attention of viewers. Unleash your imagination and craft stunning text effects, where letters emerge from the canvas with strokes that taper seamlessly, enhancing legibility and visual appeal. Embark on a creative odyssey and let tapered stroke paths ignite your imagination, propelling your animations to new heights.

Creating a Tapered Stroke Path

To create a tapered stroke path in After Effects, follow these steps:
1. Create a new composition in After Effects.

2. Select the **Pen Tool** from the toolbar.

The Pen Tool is used to create paths in After Effects. Paths can be used to create strokes, fills, and masks.
To create a path, click on the composition to create an anchor point.
Continue clicking to create additional anchor points.
To close the path, click on the first anchor point.

3. With the path selected, go to the **Stroke** panel.

The Stroke panel controls the appearance of the stroke.
In the **Taper** section, select the **Type** of taper you want to use.
The **Start** and **End** options control the width of the stroke at the beginning and end of the path, respectively.
The **Feather** option controls the softness of the taper.

4. Adjust the taper settings to get the desired look.

You can experiment with different taper types, start and end widths, and feather settings to create a variety of looks.
Once you are happy with the look of the taper, click on the **OK** button to apply the changes.

5. Your tapered stroke path is now complete.

You can use the tapered stroke path to create a variety of effects, such as outlines, borders, and highlights.
You can also animate the taper settings to create dynamic effects.

Taper Types

Type	Description
Linear	The stroke tapers linearly from the start to the end width.
Ease In	The stroke tapers gradually from the start to the end width.
Ease Out	The stroke tapers sharply from the start to the end width.
Ease Both	The stroke tapers gradually from the start to the end width, and then sharply from the end to the start width.

The type of taper you choose will depend on the desired look you want to achieve.

Controlling Taper Length and Angle

The Taper Length and Angle controls determine how the stroke path tapers off at the end. The Taper Length specifies the length of the taper, while the Taper Angle specifies the angle at which the taper occurs.

Taper Length

The Taper Length value is expressed in pixels. A larger value will result in a longer taper, while a smaller value will result in a shorter taper. You can enter a specific value in the Taper Length field, or you can use the slider to adjust the length interactively.

Taper Angle

The Taper Angle value is expressed in degrees. A larger value will result in a more acute taper, while a smaller value will result in a more obtuse taper. You can enter a specific value in the Taper Angle field, or you can use the slider to adjust the angle interactively.

Taper Options

In addition to the Taper Length and Angle controls, there are also several Taper Options that you can use to fine-tune the appearance of the taper.

The following table describes the available Taper Options:

Option	Description
Start Taper	Specifies where the taper begins along the stroke path. You can choose from the following options: Start Middle End
End Taper	Specifies where the taper ends along the stroke path. You can choose from the following options: Start Middle End
Taper Shape	Specifies the shape of the taper. You can choose from the following options: Linear Exponential Logarithmic

Option

Description

Start Taper

Specifies where the taper begins along the stroke path. You can choose from the following options:

Start
Middle
End

End Taper

Specifies where the taper ends along the stroke path. You can choose from the following options:

Start
Middle
End

Taper Shape

Specifies the shape of the taper. You can choose from the following options:

Linear
Exponential
Logarithmic

Example

The following example shows how to use the Taper Length and Angle controls to create a stroke path with a tapered end.

Create a new composition in After Effects.
Add a new solid layer to the composition.
Select the Stroke property of the solid layer.
In the Stroke Settings dialog box, enable the Taper checkbox.
Set the Taper Length to 100 pixels.
Set the Taper Angle to 45 degrees.
Click OK to close the Stroke Settings dialog box.

The stroke path now has a tapered end.

Adding Multiple Tapered Strokes

To add multiple tapered strokes to a shape layer:

1. Add a New Stroke

Click the “Add Stroke” button in the Appearance panel to create a new stroke. This will add a solid-color stroke to the shape layer.

2. Open the Stroke Options

Click the “Stroke Options” button in the Appearance panel to open the Stroke Options dialog box.

3. Set the Taper Settings

In the Stroke Options dialog box, click the “Taper” tab and adjust the settings to create the desired taper effect. The “Start Width” and “End Width” values determine the width of the stroke at its start and end points, respectively. The “Offset” value determines how far the stroke is offset from the center of the path.

4. Set the Stroke Color

Click the “Fill” tab in the Stroke Options dialog box to set the color of the stroke. You can choose a solid color, a gradient, or a pattern.

5. Add Additional Strokes

To add additional tapered strokes to the shape layer, repeat steps 1-4 for each stroke. You can stack multiple tapered strokes to create complex and interesting effects.

5.1 Stroke Path Taper in Adobe After Effects – Control Stroke Width along the Path

Once you have created your initial stroke, you can use the “Stroke Path Taper” property to control the stroke width along the path. This property can be found in the “Transform” section of the shape layer’s properties.

5.2 Using the Stroke Path Taper Property

The Stroke Path Taper property allows you to specify the start and end width of the stroke, as well as the offset from the path. You can also use the “Taper Type” option to choose between a linear taper, an exponential taper, or a custom taper.

5.3 Creating a Custom Taper

To create a custom taper, select the “Custom” option from the “Taper Type” menu. This will reveal a graph that allows you to control the stroke width at different points along the path.

5.4 Animating the Stroke Path Taper

You can animate the Stroke Path Taper property to create dynamic effects. For example, you could animate the start and end width of the stroke to create a pulsing effect.

5.5 Example Table

The following table provides a summary of the Stroke Path Taper property:

Property	Description
Start Width	The width of the stroke at its start point.
End Width	The width of the stroke at its end point.
Offset	The distance between the stroke and the center of the path.
Taper Type	The type of taper to apply: linear, exponential, or custom.

Step 6: Animating Taper

Now that you have your stroked path set up, it’s time to animate the taper. To do this, you’ll need to create two keyframes for the “Taper Start” property in the “Brush Strokes” section of the “Stroke” panel.

**Step 1: Create Two Keyframes**

Move the playhead to the first frame where you want the taper to start.
In the “Stroke” panel, set the “Taper Start” property to 0%.
Click the stopwatch icon next to the “Taper Start” property to create a keyframe.
Move the playhead to the last frame where you want the taper to end.
In the “Stroke” panel, set the “Taper Start” property to 100%.
Click the stopwatch icon next to the “Taper Start” property to create a second keyframe.

**Step 2: Adjust the Taper**

Once you have created your keyframes, you can adjust the taper by dragging the handles on the keyframes. You can also adjust the “Taper Curve” property to change the shape of the taper.

**Step 3: Preview the Animation**

Click the play button in the Timeline panel to preview the animation. You should see the stroke tapering from 0% to 100% over the duration of the keyframes.

**Additional Tips:**

You can create multiple tapers along the same path by creating additional keyframes for the “Taper Start” property.
You can use the “Taper Length” property to control the length of the taper.
You can use the “Taper Curve” property to change the shape of the taper.

Property	Description
Taper Start	The starting point of the taper as a percentage along the path.
Taper Length	The length of the taper as a percentage along the path.
Taper Curve	The shape of the taper.

Creating a Rectangular Mask

Start by drawing a rectangular mask around the area you wish to cut. Use the Pen Tool (G) to create the shape. Ensure the mask is sufficiently large to encompass the entire area to be cut.

Adding a Stroke to the Mask

Select the mask and navigate to the “Stroke” section of the Mask Properties panel. Enable the “Stroke” option. Adjust the “Weight” parameter to determine the thickness of the stroke.

Converting the Stroke to a Path

Right-click on the mask and select “Convert Mask to Path.” This creates a new shape layer containing a path that outlines the mask’s stroke.

Tapering the Mask Path

Select the path layer and navigate to the “Path Options” panel. Enable the “Trim Paths” option. This will allow you to modify the start and end points of the path.

Trimming Path Using Keyframes

Create two keyframes for the “End” parameter under the Trim Paths property. Position the first keyframe at the start of the path and set its value to 0%. Position the second keyframe at the end of the path and set its value to 100%. This will create a linear taper along the path.

Tapering with the Graph Editor

Alternatively, you can use the Graph Editor to create a more complex taper. Select the “End” parameter and click on the “Graph Editor” icon in the Trim Paths property. This will open the Graph Editor, where you can manually adjust the taper curve.

Trimming Path Using Path Expressions

Advanced users can use path expressions to create custom tapers. In the “End” parameter field, enter a path expression such as wiggle(10, 10) to create a wavy taper.

Controlling Tapers with Masks

You can use masks to control the taper of the path. Create a mask around the area where you want the taper to start or end. Apply the mask to the path layer and use the “Mask Inverted” option to create a reverse taper.

Applying the Taper to a Layer

Select the layer you wish to cut and navigate to the “Masks” section of the timeline. Click on the “Add Mask” button and select the path layer you created. This will apply the tapered cut to the layer.

Fine-Tuning the Cut

Once the cut is applied, you can fine-tune it by adjusting the position and blending of the mask. Use motion blur or other effects to soften the edges of the cut and create a more realistic effect.

Adjusting Taper Offset for Precise Positioning

The Taper Offset property in After Effects allows you to control the starting point of the taper effect. This is important for ensuring that the taper is applied in the desired location on your stroke.

To adjust the Taper Offset, follow these steps:

Select the shape layer with the stroke effect applied.
Open the Stroke Options panel (Window > Stroke Options).
In the Taper section, locate the Taper Offset property.
Enter a value in the Taper Offset field to adjust the starting point of the taper.

A positive Taper Offset value will move the taper starting point towards the end of the stroke, while a negative value will move it towards the beginning of the stroke.

You can also use expressions to control the Taper Offset dynamically. For example, the following expression will make the taper starting point move along the stroke based on the current time:

“`
time * 100
“`

This expression will move the taper starting point 100 pixels along the stroke for each second that passes.

By adjusting the Taper Offset property, you can precisely control the location of the taper effect on your stroke. This allows you to create a variety of interesting and dynamic effects.

Here is a table summarizing the different options available for adjusting the Taper Offset property:

Option	Description
Positive value	Moves the taper starting point towards the end of the stroke
Negative value	Moves the taper starting point towards the beginning of the stroke
Expression	Allows you to control the taper starting point dynamically based on other properties or parameters

Creating a Stroke Path Taper with Expression

In After Effects, you can use expressions to create a variety of effects, including stroke path tapering. Stroke path tapering gradually reduces the width of a stroke along its length. This can create a variety of interesting visual effects, such as tapered lines or arrows.

To create a stroke path taper with an expression, follow these steps:

Select the layer you want to apply the stroke path taper to.
Go to the Layer > Effect > Generate menu and select Stroke.
In the Stroke Options dialog box, select the Path option from the Stroke Type menu.
In the Path Options section, click the Expression button next to the Start Width and End Width fields.

In the Expression Editor, enter the following expression into the Start Width field:

“`
startWidth = width * ease(time, 0, 1, easeOutQuint);
“`

6. In the End Width field, enter the following expression:

“`
endWidth = width * ease(time, 0, 1, easeInQuint);
“`

7. Click OK to close the Expression Editor.

The stroke path taper expression will now be applied to the selected layer.

Expression Breakdown

The expression we used to create the stroke path taper consists of the following elements:

width: The width of the stroke.
ease(time, 0, 1, easeOutQuint): An easing function that controls the rate at which the stroke tapers. The easeOutQuint function gives the stroke a slow start and a fast finish.
ease(time, 0, 1, easeInQuint): An easing function that controls the rate at which the stroke tapers. The easeInQuint function gives the stroke a fast start and a slow finish.

By adjusting the values in the ease() functions, you can control the shape of the stroke path taper.

Additional Notes

Here are some additional notes about using expressions to create stroke path tapers in After Effects:

You can use any easing function you want in the expression. Experiment with different functions to create different effects.
You can also use expressions to control other aspects of the stroke, such as the color, opacity, or dash pattern.
If you want to apply the same stroke path taper to multiple layers, you can copy and paste the expression from one layer to another.

Easing Function	Effect
easeOutQuint	Slow start, fast finish
easeInQuint	Fast start, slow finish
easeInOutQuint	Slow start and finish, fast middle

1. Creating a New Composition and Layer

Launch After Effects and create a new composition. Import any footage or create a new solid layer. Select the layer in the Timeline panel.

2. Applying the Stroke Effect

Navigate to the Effects & Presets panel and search for “Stroke”. Drag and drop the Stroke effect onto your selected layer.

3. Adjusting Stroke Settings

In the Effect Controls panel, adjust the following stroke settings:

Stroke Width: Set the width of the stroke.
Stroke Color: Choose the color of the stroke.
Opacity: Control the transparency of the stroke.

4. Setting Stroke Taper Options

In the Stroke effect’s settings, locate the “Taper” section.

5. Enabling Stroke Taper

Check the “Enable Stroke Taper” checkbox to activate the taper effect.

6. Setting Taper Mode

Choose the taper mode from the dropdown options:

Both Ends: Taper both ends of the stroke.
Start: Taper the start of the stroke.
End: Taper the end of the stroke.

7. Adjusting Taper Levels

Use the “Taper Start” and “Taper End” sliders to control the intensity of the taper at the respective ends of the stroke.

8. Customizing Taper Curves

Click on the “Custom Taper Curve” option to edit the taper curve in the Graph Editor.

9. Setting Taper Offset

Use the “Taper Offset” option to shift the alignment of the taper within the stroke’s length.

10. Animating Stroke Taper

Create keyframes on the “Taper Start”, “Taper End”, or “Taper Offset” properties to animate the stroke taper over time.

11. Using Taper Presets

After Effects provides a range of taper presets that you can apply to your stroke. Access them from the preset dropdown menu within the Stroke effect’s settings.

12. Combining Multiple Stroke Effects

You can apply multiple instances of the Stroke effect to a single layer to create complex tapered strokes.

13. Adjusting Blend Modes

Experiment with different blend modes in the Stroke effect’s settings to control how the stroke interacts with the underlying footage.

14. Utilizing Vector Masks

Create vector masks on the stroke layer to selectively mask parts of the tapered stroke.

15. Integrating Scripting

Use scripting to automate the creation and manipulation of tapered strokes.

16. Applying Masking Effects

Apply masking effects, such as the “Mask Path” effect, to further shape and refine the tapered stroke.

17. Controlling Stroke Orientation

Use the “Transform” property in the Effect Controls panel to rotate or scale the stroke, adjusting its orientation and alignment.

18. Advanced Taper Customization Via Expressions

Create expressions on the “Taper Start”, “Taper End”, or “Taper Offset” properties to achieve complex and dynamic taper effects. Expressions allow you to control these parameters using mathematical formulas or other property values within the composition.

For example, you can create an expression that links the “Taper Start” parameter to the position of another layer, causing the stroke taper to follow the movement of that layer.

Expression	Effect
`wiggle(5,10)`	Randomly oscillate the stroke taper
`linear(time,0,100)`	Increase the stroke taper linearly over time
`index * 5`	Taper each instance of a repeated stroke by a different amount

Utilizing Taper for Realistic Motion Simulations

The Taper property in After Effects provides immense flexibility in controlling the thickness of brush strokes, allowing for the creation of more nuanced and realistic motion simulations. Understanding how to effectively utilize this property can significantly enhance the quality and believability of your animations.

Understanding the Taper Property

The Taper property determines the thickness of a brush stroke along its length. It works by defining two values: Start Width and End Width. The Start Width specifies the thickness at the beginning of the stroke, while the End Width specifies the thickness at the end. By adjusting these values, you can create brush strokes that taper in or out, or remain constant in thickness throughout their length.

Creating Realistic Motion Blurs

One of the most effective uses of the Taper property is to create realistic motion blurs. By tapering the brush strokes, you can simulate the gradual dissipation of energy and movement as objects move through space. This technique is particularly useful for animating fast-moving objects or explosions.

Simulating Fluid Dynamics

The Taper property can also be used to simulate fluid dynamics. By creating brush strokes with varying thickness, you can mimic the flow and movement of liquids and gases. This technique can be used to create effects such as water ripples, smoke trails, and swirling vortexes.

Creating Custom Brush Shapes

In addition to controlling the thickness of brush strokes, the Taper property can also be used to create custom brush shapes. By experimenting with different combinations of Start Width and End Width, you can design unique and stylized brushes that can add visual interest to your animations.

Additional Tips for Using Taper

Here are some additional tips for using the Taper property effectively:

Use keyframes to animate the Taper property over time. This allows you to create more complex and dynamic changes in brush stroke thickness.
Experiment with different combinations of Start Width and End Width to achieve the desired effect.
Try using the Taper property in conjunction with other motion blur settings, such as Shutter Angle and Motion Blur Length.
Use the Taper property sparingly. Too much tapering can create unrealistic and cluttered animations.

Table: Taper Property Settings for Common Motion Simulations

Motion Simulation	Start Width	End Width
Motion Blur	100%	0%
Fluid Dynamics	100%	50%
Custom Brush Shape	50%	25%

Creating Tapered Strokes from Video Footage

Add a tapered stroke effect to a video clip by following these steps:

1. Import Video Footage

Import the video clip you want to apply the tapered stroke effect to into After Effects.

2. Convert to Shape Layer

Select the video layer in the timeline and choose “Create > Shape Layer from Video” to convert it into a shape layer.

3. Remove Fill and Add Stroke

Right-click on the shape layer and deselect “Fill”. Right-click again to add a “Stroke”.

4. Adjust Stroke Settings

In the “Stroke Options” panel, customize the stroke’s color, width, and other parameters as desired.

5. Enable Tapered Strokes

Check the “Tapered Strokes” option in the “Stroke Options” panel.

6. Adjust Taper Settings

Use the “Taper” sliders to control the thickness of the stroke at the start and end points. You can create a linear taper or use the “Bevel” option for curved tapers.

7. Specify Taper Coordinates

Enter values in the “Taper Coordinates” section to precisely specify the points where the taper starts and ends.

8. Use Expression Control

Add an expression to the “Start Point” and “End Point” properties to dynamically control the taper based on frame number or other parameters.

9. Animate Taper Settings

Create keyframes for the “Taper” sliders to animate the stroke’s thickness over time.

10. Additional Options

Experiment with other options in the “Stroke Options” panel, such as “Round Caps”, “Miter Limit”, and “Align” to fine-tune the appearance of the tapered stroke.

Taper Coordinates

The “Taper Coordinates” table allows you to specify the exact points where the taper begins and ends. Here’s a breakdown of each parameter:

Parameter	Description
Start Point	The percentage of the path length at which the taper begins.
End Point	The percentage of the path length at which the taper ends.

Using the Taper Tool to Create Custom Brushes

The Taper Tool is a powerful tool in After Effects that allows you to create custom brush shapes with tapered ends. This can be useful for creating a variety of effects, such as brush strokes with varying thicknesses or lines that fade out at the ends.

To create a custom brush shape using the Taper Tool, follow these steps:

Create a new composition in After Effects.
Select the Brush Tool from the Tools panel.
Click on the "Taper Tool" icon in the Brush Settings panel.
In the Taper Tool settings, adjust the following options:
- Start Width: This controls the width of the brush at the beginning of the stroke.
- End Width: This controls the width of the brush at the end of the stroke.
- Taper Length: This controls the length of the tapered section of the brush stroke.
Click on the "Create Brush" button to create a new brush shape.

You can now use your custom brush shape to create strokes in After Effects. To do this, simply select the Brush Tool and then click and drag on the composition window.

Here are some additional tips for using the Taper Tool:

You can use the Taper Tool to create brushes with any shape. Simply draw the shape you want with the Pen Tool or the Shape Tool, and then use the Taper Tool to add tapered ends.
You can use the Taper Tool to create brushes with multiple tapered sections. To do this, simply click on the "Add Taper" button in the Taper Tool settings.
You can use the Taper Tool to create animated brushes. To do this, simply create a keyframe for the Taper Tool settings in the Timeline panel.

The following table summarizes the options available in the Taper Tool settings:

Option	Description
Start Width	Controls the width of the brush at the beginning of the stroke.
End Width	Controls the width of the brush at the end of the stroke.
Taper Length	Controls the length of the tapered section of the brush stroke.
Add Taper	Adds a new tapered section to the brush shape.
Remove Taper	Removes the selected tapered section from the brush shape.
Reset	Resets the Taper Tool settings to their default values.

Creating Tapered Strokes in 3D Environments

When working with 3D objects in After Effects, you can use the Stroke effect to create tapered strokes along their edges. This can give your objects a more polished and refined look.

To create a tapered stroke in a 3D environment, follow these steps:

Select the object you want to apply the stroke to.
Open the Effect menu and select Effect > Generate > Stroke.
In the Stroke effect panel, adjust the following settings:

Size: This controls the thickness of the stroke.
Softness: This controls the roundness of the stroke’s edges. A higher value will create a softer, more feathered edge.
Taper Start: This controls the amount of taper at the start of the stroke.
Taper End: This controls the amount of taper at the end of the stroke.

You can also use the Gradient Ramp in the Stroke effect panel to create more complex tapered strokes. For example, you could create a stroke that starts thin and gradually thickens towards the end.

Advanced Tapering Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics of creating tapered strokes, you can experiment with more advanced techniques to create custom effects.

Here are a few tips:

Use the Trim Paths effect: The Trim Paths effect can be used to trim the ends of a stroke, creating custom tapered shapes.
Use the Puppet Warp effect: The Puppet Warp effect can be used to distort and bend a stroke, creating organic and dynamic effects.
Use the Shape Layer Stroke effect: The Shape Layer Stroke effect can be used to create complex tapered strokes on shape layers.

By experimenting with these techniques, you can create unique and visually appealing tapered strokes in your 3D environments.

Example: Creating a Tapered Arrow

Let’s create a tapered arrow using the Stroke effect in a 3D environment.

Create a new composition and import a 3D model of an arrow.
Select the arrow and open the Effect menu.
Select Effect > Generate > Stroke.
In the Stroke effect panel, adjust the following settings:

Size: 10px
Softness: 0%
Taper Start: 0%
Taper End: 100%

Click the Gradient Ramp tab and add a new gradient stop at 50%.
Set the color of the first gradient stop to black and the color of the second gradient stop to white.

This will create a tapered arrow with a black head and a white tail.

Customizing the Taper

You can further customize the taper of the arrow by adjusting the Taper Start and Taper End settings in the Stroke effect panel.

For example, if you want to create a more gradual taper, you can decrease the Taper Start value.

Alternatively, if you want to create a more dramatic taper, you can increase the Taper End value.

By experimenting with these settings, you can create a custom tapered stroke that meets your specific needs.

Using the Trim Paths Effect

The Trim Paths effect can be used to trim the ends of the stroke, creating custom tapered shapes.

For example, you could use the Trim Paths effect to create a tapered arrow with a pointed tip.

Select the arrow and open the Effect menu.
Select Effect > Time > Trim Paths.
In the Trim Paths effect panel, adjust the following settings:

Start: 0%
End: 100%
Offset: 0%

Click the Advanced tab and enable the Invert checkbox.

This will trim the ends of the stroke, creating a pointed tip.

Using the Puppet Warp Effect

The Puppet Warp effect can be used to distort and bend a stroke, creating organic and dynamic effects.

For example, you could use the Puppet Warp effect to create a tapered arrow with a wavy tail.

Select the arrow and open the Effect menu.
Select Effect > Warp > Puppet Warp.
In the Puppet Warp effect panel, click the Add Vertex Points button.
Click on the tail of the arrow to add a vertex point.
Select the vertex point and press the P key to create a pin.
Use the handles to distort and bend the tail of the arrow.

This will create a tapered arrow with a wavy tail.

Using the Shape Layer Stroke Effect

The Shape Layer Stroke effect can be used to create complex tapered strokes on shape layers.

For example, you could use the Shape Layer Stroke effect to create a tapered arrow with a gradient fill.

Create a new shape layer and draw an arrow shape.
Select the shape layer and open the Effect menu.
Select Effect > Generate > Stroke.
In the Stroke effect panel, adjust the following settings:

Size: 10px
Softness: 0%
Taper Start: 0%
Taper End: 100%

Click the Gradient Ramp tab and add a new gradient stop at 50%.
Set the color of the first gradient stop to black and the color of the second gradient stop to white.

This will create a tapered arrow with a black head and a white tail.

Customizing the Taper

You can further customize the taper of the arrow by adjusting the Taper Start and Taper End settings in the Stroke effect panel.

For example, if you want to create a more gradual taper, you can decrease the Taper Start value.

Alternatively, if you want to create a more dramatic taper, you can increase the Taper End value.

By experimenting with these settings, you can create a custom tapered stroke that meets your specific needs.

Designing Tapered Strokes for User Interfaces and Logos

30. Adding Advanced Tapering Options Using Expressions

Expressions provide a powerful way to customize the tapering of your strokes further. Here’s how you can achieve this:

a. Enable Expressions:
Open the Essential Graphics panel and click on the “Hamburger” menu (three horizontal lines). Select “Enable Expressions” to activate expression editing.

b. Create a Slider Control:
Navigate to “Effects > Expression Controls > Create Slider.” Name the slider “TaperAmount” or any preferred name.

c. Adjust the Taper Using Expressions:
Apply the “Tapered Stroke” effect to your shape. In the Effect Controls panel, double-click on the “Taper Amount” property and enter the following expression:

taperAmount = effect("Taper Amount")("Slider"); taperWidth = [taperAmount, 0];

This expression links the slider control to the taper width property, allowing you to control the taper using the slider.

d. Customize the Tapering:
You can refine the tapering effect further by modifying the “taperAmount” variable in the expression. For example:

Expression	Effect
taperAmount = effect(“Taper Amount”)(“Slider”);	Linear tapering
taperAmount = Math.pow(effect(“Taper Amount”)(“Slider”), 2);	Quadratic tapering
taperAmount = effect(“Taper Amount”)(“Slider”) * 10;	Increases the taper intensity

Creating Tapered Strokes for Character Animation

Tapered strokes add depth and dimension to your animations by varying the thickness of the stroke along its length. This technique is particularly useful for organic shapes and character animation, as it can help convey movement and expression.

There are two main methods for creating tapered strokes in After Effects:

Using the Taper Tool
Using expressions

The Taper Tool is the simplest method, but it can be limited in its flexibility. Expressions, on the other hand, offer more control and flexibility, but they can be more complex to set up.

Using the Taper Tool

To use the Taper Tool, select the stroke layer in the Timeline panel and then click on the Taper Tool in the Tools panel.

The Taper Tool has two controls:

Start Width: This controls the thickness of the stroke at the start of the path.
End Width: This controls the thickness of the stroke at the end of the path.

To taper the stroke, simply adjust the Start Width and End Width values. You can also click and drag on the stroke path to create custom tapers.

Using Expressions

Expressions offer more control and flexibility when creating tapered strokes. To use expressions, you’ll need to create a new expression for the stroke’s Width property.

To create a new expression, select the stroke layer in the Timeline panel and then click on the Expression Editor button in the Effect Controls panel.

In the Expression Editor, enter the following expression:

“`
transform.strokeWidth * ease(time, 0, 1, 0.5)
“`

This expression will taper the stroke from its full width at the start of the path to half its width at the end of the path.

You can customize the taper by changing the value of the ease() function. The following table shows how different values of ease() will affect the taper:

Ease Function	Taper
ease(time, 0, 1, 0)	Linear taper
ease(time, 0, 1, 0.5)	Quadratic taper
ease(time, 0, 1, 1)	Cubic taper

You can also add other effects to the expression to create more complex tapers. For example, you could add a wiggle() function to create a wavy taper:

“`
transform.strokeWidth * ease(time, 0, 1, 0.5) * wiggle(2, 10)
“`

The possibilities are endless, so experiment with different expressions to create unique and stylish tapered strokes for your animations.

Using Taper to Add Dimension to Textured Surfaces

The Taper property in After Effects offers a powerful tool for adding depth and realism to textured surfaces, such as those created with the Turbulent Displace effect. By varying the thickness of the brush strokes along the path, you can create the illusion of ridges, grooves, and other surface irregularities.

To apply Taper to a stroke path:

Select the path layer in the Timeline panel.
In the Effect Controls panel, navigate to the Brush Strokes & Fills property group.
Expand the Stroke Options group.
Locate the Taper property.
Set the Taper value to a positive number to create a taper effect along the stroke path. Positive values taper the stroke from thick to thin, while negative values taper the stroke from thin to thick.

The Taper property can be used to create a wide range of surface textures, from subtle variations to pronounced ridges and grooves. The amount of taper and the length of the strokes can be adjusted to control the intensity of the effect.

Experimenting with different Taper values and stroke lengths can lead to unique and visually striking results. For example, a small taper value applied to short strokes can create a subtle textured surface, while a large taper value applied to long strokes can create a pronounced ridged surface.

Creating a Ridged Surface

To create a ridged surface using Taper:

Create a new composition in After Effects.
Import or create an image of a textured surface.
Drag the image into the Timeline panel and create a new solid layer below it.
Select the solid layer and apply the Turbulent Displace effect (Effects > Distort > Turbulent Displace).
Adjust the Turbulent Displace settings to create a textured surface.
Select the Brush Strokes & Fills property group for the solid layer.
Set the Stroke Width to a value that creates a visible stroke around the edges of the textured surface.
Set the Taper property to a positive value to taper the stroke from thick to thin.
Experiment with different Taper values and stroke lengths to create the desired ridged surface effect.

Creating a Grooved Surface

To create a grooved surface using Taper:

Create a new composition in After Effects.
Import or create an image of a textured surface.
Drag the image into the Timeline panel and create a new solid layer below it.
Select the solid layer and apply the Turbulent Displace effect (Effects > Distort > Turbulent Displace).
Adjust the Turbulent Displace settings to create a textured surface.
Select the Brush Strokes & Fills property group for the solid layer.
Set the Stroke Width to a value that creates a visible stroke around the edges of the textured surface.
Set the Taper property to a negative value to taper the stroke from thin to thick.
Experiment with different Taper values and stroke lengths to create the desired grooved surface effect.

Creating a Subtle Textured Surface

To create a subtle textured surface using Taper:

Create a new composition in After Effects.
Import or create an image of a textured surface.
Drag the image into the Timeline panel and create a new solid layer below it.
Select the solid layer and apply the Turbulent Displace effect (Effects > Distort > Turbulent Displace).
Adjust the Turbulent Displace settings to create a textured surface.
Select the Brush Strokes & Fills property group for the solid layer.
Set the Stroke Width to a small value that creates a thin stroke around the edges of the textured surface.
Set the Taper property to a small positive value to taper the stroke from thick to thin.
Experiment with different Taper values and stroke lengths to create the desired subtle textured surface effect.

Taper Value	Effect
0	No taper
Positive	Taper from thick to thin
Negative	Taper from thin to thick

Creating Tapered Strokes for Bullet Points and Lists

Bullet points and lists can add visual interest and organization to your After Effects projects. By tapering the strokes of these elements, you can create a more dynamic and polished look. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve this effect using the Stroke Effect:

1. Create a New Solid Layer

Start by creating a new solid layer in your After Effects composition. This layer will serve as the background for your bullet points or list items.

2. Add Text to the Layer

Use the Type Tool to add text to the solid layer. This text will represent your bullet points or list items.

3. Apply the Stroke Effect

Select the text layer and apply the Stroke Effect from the Effects & Presets panel. This effect will add an outline to your text.

4. Adjust the Stroke Width

In the Stroke Effect settings, adjust the Stroke Width parameter to determine the thickness of the outline.

5. Enable Taper

Locate the Taper checkbox in the Stroke Effect settings and enable it. This will activate the taper function.

6. Adjust the Taper Percentage

Use the Taper Percentage slider to control the amount of taper applied to the stroke. A higher percentage will result in a more pronounced taper.

Taper Percentage	Effect
0%	No taper
50%	Moderate taper
100%	Full taper

7. Use Trim Paths to Create a Smooth Taper

To create a smoother taper, enable the Trim Paths option in the Stroke Effect settings. This will allow you to adjust the start and end points of the stroke.

8. Adjust the Start and End Trim

Use the Start Trim and End Trim parameters to control the location of the taper. You can create a variety of effects by adjusting these parameters.

9. Experiment with Different Settings

The Stroke Effect offers various other parameters that you can experiment with to achieve different taper effects. These include the Stroke Color, Stroke Opacity, and Miter Limit parameters.

10. Use Keyframes to Animate the Taper

You can animate the taper effect over time by adding keyframes to the Taper Percentage parameter. This allows you to create dynamic and visually appealing effects.

Understanding Stroke Path Taper in After Effects

The Stroke Path Taper effect in After Effects allows you to create visually appealing tapered strokes along shape paths. By controlling the taper, you can achieve a wide range of artistic effects, from subtle fades to sharp, contrasting transitions.

Steps to Apply Stroke Path Taper

1. Select the path or shape on which you wish to apply the effect.
2. Go to the Effects & Presets panel (Effect > Add Effect) and navigate to “Animation Presets” > “Distort & Transform” > “Stroke Path Taper”.
3. Drag and drop the effect onto the selected path or shape.

Customizing Stroke Path Taper Settings

1. Taper Radius: Adjusts the radius of the tapered area at the beginning and end of the stroke.
2. Taper Length: Controls the length of the tapered area relative to the overall stroke length.
3. Direction: Specifies the direction of the taper, either “Inward” or “Outward”.
4. Ashape: Defines the shape of the tapered area, including “Linear”, “Ease In”, “Ease Out”, and “Ease Both”.
5. Start and End: Indicates the start and end positions of the tapered area along the stroke path.

Optimizing Taper Performance for Smooth Animations

To ensure smooth, flicker-free animations when using Stroke Path Taper, consider the following factors:

1. Use Keyframes Sparingly

Overuse of keyframes can lead to choppy animations. Instead, use the “Ashape” parameter to create a smooth transition over time.

2. Set a High Frame Rate

A higher frame rate (e.g., 60 fps or higher) will produce smoother animations, reducing the perceived flicker.

3. Reduce Interpolation

Using the “Interpolation” parameter, you can control how much After Effects estimates the values between keyframes. Lower interpolation values (e.g., 0.5) create smoother transitions.

4. Utilize Motion Blur

Adding motion blur to the tapered stroke can help conceal small inconsistencies and create a more natural animation.

5. Preview and Adjust

Preview your animations regularly and adjust the taper settings until you achieve the desired smoothness.

Additional Tips for Customizing Stroke Path Taper

1. Create asymmetric tapers by adjusting the “Start” and “End” parameters differently.
2. Experiment with different “Ashape” options to achieve varying transition styles.
3. Combine the Stroke Path Taper effect with other effects, such as Trim Paths or Dash and Dot, to create complex and dynamic animations.
4. Utilize the “Invert” checkbox to reverse the direction of the taper.

Parameter	Description
Taper Radius	Adjusts the radius of the tapered area at the beginning and end of the stroke.
Taper Length	Controls the length of the tapered area relative to the overall stroke length.
Direction	Specifies the direction of the taper, either “Inward” or “Outward”.
Ashape	Defines the shape of the tapered area, including “Linear”, “Ease In”, “Ease Out”, and “Ease Both”.
Start and End	Indicates the start and end positions of the tapered area along the stroke path.

Using Taper to Animate Path Transitions

37. Animating Taper Using Keyframes

To precisely control the taper effect, you can animate it using keyframes. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Select the layer with the stroke path.
Open the “Path” tab in the “Effect Controls” panel.
Click the stopwatch icon next to the “Taper” property to create a keyframe at the current time.
Move the playhead to a different time in the timeline.
Adjust the “Taper” value to a different setting. This will create a second keyframe.
Repeat steps 4-5 to create additional keyframes at different times.
Preview the animation to see the smooth transition between the different taper values.

Tips for Animating Taper:

Set keyframes at specific points in the animation to precisely control the transition.
Use缓和曲线(Easing Curves) to smooth out the transition between keyframes.
Experiment with different taper values to create different transition effects.
Combine taper with other animation techniques to create complex and visually appealing path transitions.

Example Scenario: Fading In a Stroke Path

To fade in a stroke path using taper, follow these steps:

Create a stroke path layer.
In the “Path” tab, set the “Taper” property to 100%.
Add a keyframe at the beginning of the animation.
Move the playhead to the frame where you want the stroke path to start fading in.
Set the “Taper” property to 0%. This will create a second keyframe.
Preview the animation to see the stroke path fade in gradually.

Animation Details:

Frame	Taper Value
0	100%
[Fade-in start frame]	0%

By using keyframes to animate taper, you have complete control over the transition process, allowing you to create precise and visually appealing path animations.

38. Adjusting Offset and Join Options

In the "Stroke" panel, you’ll find two sliders that further refine the appearance of your tapered stroke: "Offset" and "Join."

Offset

The "Offset" slider adjusts the distance between the inner and outer edges of the stroke. By increasing the offset, you can create a thicker stroke with a more pronounced taper. Conversely, decreasing the offset will result in a thinner, less noticeable taper.

Offset Value	Result
0	No offset, equal stroke width
Positive (e.g., 10)	Thicker stroke with pronounced taper
Negative (e.g., -10)	Thinner stroke with less noticeable taper

Join

The "Join" slider controls how the ends of the stroke are connected. There are three options available:

Miter: Creates a sharp, angled join where the stroke ends meet.
Round: Creates a smooth, rounded join where the stroke ends meet.
Bevel: Creates a flat, beveled join where the stroke ends meet.

The choice of join style depends on the desired aesthetic and the curvature of the stroke. For example, a sharp miter join can accentuate the taper, while a rounded join can soften it.

Join Type	Result
Miter	Sharp, angled join
Round	Smooth, rounded join
Bevel	Flat, beveled join

Fine-tuning the Tapered Stroke

By adjusting these additional parameters, you can create tapered strokes that perfectly suit your motion tracking needs. Experiment with different values to achieve the desired appearance and fit for your animated elements.

Combining Taper with Blending Modes for Creative Effects

Combining the Taper path effect with different blending modes can result in unique and visually striking effects. Here’s a closer look at how each blending mode interacts with the Taper path effect:

Normal Mode

In Normal mode, the Taper path effect simply reduces the opacity of the stroke along its length. This creates a gradual fading effect from the start to the end of the stroke.

Multiply Mode

Multiply mode darkens the stroke along its length. This is because the darker pixels of the stroke are multiplied by the lighter pixels of the underlying layer, resulting in a darker overall effect. The Taper effect amplifies this effect, creating a dramatic darkening of the stroke towards its end.

Screen Mode

Screen mode lightens the stroke along its length. This is because the lighter pixels of the stroke are multiplied by the darker pixels of the underlying layer, resulting in a lighter overall effect. The Taper effect amplifies this effect, creating a gradual lightening of the stroke towards its end.

Overlay Mode

Overlay mode adds contrast to the stroke along its length. This is because the lighter pixels of the stroke are multiplied by the darker pixels of the underlying layer, while the darker pixels of the stroke are multiplied by the lighter pixels of the underlying layer. The Taper effect enhances this effect, creating a pronounced contrast between the light and dark areas of the stroke.

Soft Light Mode

Soft Light mode adds a soft, diffused effect to the stroke along its length. This is because the lighter pixels of the stroke are averaged with the darker pixels of the underlying layer, while the darker pixels of the stroke are averaged with the lighter pixels of the underlying layer. The Taper effect amplifies this effect, creating a subtle blending of the stroke with the underlying layer.

Hard Light Mode

Hard Light mode adds a more intense, contrasty effect to the stroke along its length. This is because the lighter pixels of the stroke are multiplied by the lighter pixels of the underlying layer, while the darker pixels of the stroke are multiplied by the darker pixels of the underlying layer. The Taper effect intensifies this effect, creating a pronounced darkening or lightening of the stroke towards its end.

Difference Mode

Difference mode subtracts the color of the stroke from the color of the underlying layer along its length. This creates a high-contrast effect where the lighter areas of the stroke become darker and the darker areas of the stroke become lighter. The Taper effect amplifies this effect, creating a dramatic change in the color of the stroke towards its end.

Exclusion Mode

Exclusion mode inverts the color of the stroke along its length and then subtracts it from the color of the underlying layer. This creates a desaturated effect where the lighter areas of the stroke become darker and the darker areas of the stroke become lighter. The Taper effect amplifies this effect, creating a subtle desaturation of the stroke towards its end.

Color Dodge Mode

Color Dodge mode brightens the stroke along its length by lightening the darker pixels and darkening the lighter pixels. This creates a high-contrast effect where the lighter areas of the stroke become even lighter and the darker areas of the stroke become almost completely black. The Taper effect intensifies this effect, creating a dramatic lightening of the stroke towards its end.

Color Burn Mode

Color Burn mode darkens the stroke along its length by darkening the lighter pixels and lightening the darker pixels. This creates a high-contrast effect where the darker areas of the stroke become even darker and the lighter areas of the stroke become almost completely white. The Taper effect intensifies this effect, creating a dramatic darkening of the stroke towards its end.

Blending Mode	Effect on Stroke
Normal	Fades the stroke along its length
Multiply	Darkens the stroke along its length
Screen	Lightens the stroke along its length
Overlay	Adds contrast to the stroke along its length
Soft Light	Adds a soft, diffused effect to the stroke along its length
Hard Light	Adds a more intense, contrasty effect to the stroke along its length
Difference	Creates a high-contrast effect where the lighter areas become darker and the darker areas become lighter
Exclusion	Creates a desaturated effect where the lighter areas become darker and the darker areas become lighter
Color Dodge	Brightens the stroke along its length, creating a high-contrast effect
Color Burn	Darkens the stroke along its length, creating a high-contrast effect

Enhancing Overlapping Strokes with Taper

When you have multiple strokes overlapping each other, the taper effect can create a more natural and seamless transition between the strokes. This is because the taper effect gradually reduces the width of the stroke as it approaches the end, which helps to blend the strokes together more smoothly.

To apply the taper effect to overlapping strokes, follow these steps:

Select the stroke layer that you want to apply the taper effect to.
In the “Stroke” section of the “Appearance” panel, click on the “Taper” checkbox.
Use the “Start Taper” and “End Taper” sliders to adjust the amount of taper that you want to apply to the stroke.
The “Start Offset” and “End Offset” sliders allow you to adjust the position of the taper effect on the stroke.

Here is a table that summarizes the taper effect settings:

By adjusting these settings, you can create a variety of different taper effects that can enhance the appearance of your overlapping strokes.

How To Make Stroke Path Taper After Effects

Step 1: Create a new composition in After Effects.

Step 2: Create a new shape layer.

Step 3: Select the shape layer in the Timeline panel.

Step 4: In the Effect Controls panel, click on the “Stroke” effect.

Step 5: In the Stroke effect settings, click on the “Taper” checkbox.

Step 6: Adjust the “Start” and “End” values to control the amount of taper.