Offset Paths in Adobe After Effects – Full Guide

 

✂️ Offset Paths in Adobe After Effects – Full Guide

Offset Paths is a Shape Layer operation that lets you expand or contract the shape's path, effectively creating a copy of the original shape at a set distance from it — kind of like a "stroke offset" but with more control.

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📍 Where to Find Offset Paths

1. Draw a shape (e.g., a rectangle or custom path using Pen Tool).

2. In the Timeline Panel, go to:

   Shape Layer >
     Contents >
       [Your Shape Group] >
         Add ▼ > Offset Paths
   

3. The Offset Paths operator appears under the shape.

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🔧 Offset Paths Properties

Once you’ve added Offset Paths, expand it to see these properties:

• Amount: Controls how far the offset is from the original path.

  • Positive = outward

  • Negative = inward

• Line Join: How the corners are joined:

  • Miter (sharp corners)

  • Round (rounded corners)

  • Bevel (angled cuts)

• Miter Limit: Limits the sharpness of corners when using Miter.

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🧪 Example Use Case: Create an Animated Outline

1. Draw a circle using the Ellipse Tool.

2. Add Offset Paths, set Amount = 10.

3. Animate the Offset Amount with keyframes (e.g., 0 to 50).

4. Add a Stroke and set Fill to None.

5. Boom 💥 — you now have a cool expanding circle animation!

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✨ Creative Uses for Offset Paths

• Grow or shrink shapes over time
  → Animate the Amount for dynamic effects.

• Create outlines or borders
  → Use one shape with Fill, another with Offset + Stroke.

• Mask reveals with motion
  → Combine Offset Paths with Trim Paths for elegant reveals.

• Logo design animation
  → Animate Offset to create wave-like or blooming outlines.

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💡 Pro Tips

• Use with Repeater to create spirals or stacked shapes with growing offsets.

• Works best with closed paths (e.g., rectangles, circles, stars).

• Combine with Merge Paths for even more advanced morphing effects.