Face Outline Tracking in Adobe After Effects is a powerful technique used in VFX and motion graphics to follow facial features and apply effects like glowing outlines, face masks, or digital makeup. This guide will walk you through every essential step.
🎯 What You’ll Need
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Adobe After Effects installed (preferably latest version)
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Footage with a clear, well-lit face
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Basic understanding of layers and masks in AE
📍 Step-by-Step Process
🔹 Step 1: Import Your Footage
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Open After Effects
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Go to
File > Import > Fileand select your video clip -
Drag the footage to the timeline
🔹 Step 2: Apply the Face Tracker
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Select your footage layer
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Go to
Window > Trackerto open the tracker panel -
Click “Track Face” and then “Detailed Features”
🔹 Step 3: Let AE Analyze the Face
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AE automatically detects the face and begins tracking outlines like:
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Eyes
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Eyebrows
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Nose
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Jawline
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Click “Analyze Forward” (▶ button) to let AE do its job
🔹 Step 4: Create a Null Object
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Go to
Layer > New > Null Object -
In the Tracker panel, click “Edit Target”, choose the null layer, and hit OK
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Click “Apply” to apply tracking data to the null
🔹 Step 5: Attach Outline/Mask to the Face
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Create a new solid layer or shape layer
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Draw an outline/mask that matches the face shape
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Parent this layer to the null object
🔹 Step 6: Customize the Effect (Optional)
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Add Glow, Stroke, or Shadow to the outline
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Adjust opacity, color, and animation as needed
💡 Pro Tips
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Make sure the subject’s face is well-lit with minimal movement
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You can use Motion Blur for realism
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Pre-compose the face mask for complex animations
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Use RotoBrush if you want to isolate facial parts further
✅ Use Cases
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Glowing face outlines in music videos
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Sci-fi style face tracking overlays
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Digital face art or cosmetics tracking
