Mocha AE is a powerful planar tracking and rotoscoping tool integrated with Adobe After Effects. It’s widely used in the VFX industry for complex masking tasks that would otherwise be very time-consuming using traditional methods.
This guide walks you through using Mocha AE for masking in a clean, beginner-friendly way.
🧰 What is Mocha AE?
Mocha AE is a built-in plugin in Adobe After Effects that provides advanced tracking and masking capabilities using planar tracking (tracking flat surfaces like walls, screens, or even moving bodies).
It excels at tasks such as:
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Rotoscoping complex shapes
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Creating motion masks
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Tracking surfaces with consistent motion
🎬 How to Use Mocha AE for Masking – Step-by-Step
✅ Step 1: Import Your Footage
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Open After Effects
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Import your video clip
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Drag it into a new composition
✅ Step 2: Apply Mocha AE
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Select your footage in the timeline
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Go to
Effect>Boris FX Mocha>Mocha AE -
The Mocha AE panel appears in the Effect Controls
✅ Step 3: Launch Mocha AE
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Click “Launch Mocha” to open the Mocha interface
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Wait for it to initialize and load the footage
✅ Step 4: Draw the Mask
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Use the X-Spline or Bézier tool to draw around the object or area you want to mask
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Try to keep the shape as tight as possible to reduce cleanup later
✅ Step 5: Track the Object
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Click the Track Forward or Track Backward buttons
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Mocha will follow the motion of your selection frame-by-frame
✅ Step 6: Adjust Mask Shape (If Needed)
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If the track drifts, pause and adjust the mask shape manually
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Mocha allows you to edit any frame for precision
✅ Step 7: Save and Close
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When satisfied, go to
File > Save Project -
Close the Mocha AE window
✅ Step 8: Create the Mask in AE
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Back in After Effects, click “Create AE Masks” in the Mocha Effect Controls
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This converts your Mocha spline into an editable After Effects mask
🛠 Tips for Best Results
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Avoid blurry or low-contrast footage for more accurate tracks
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Use Mocha’s Magnet tool to speed up shape creation
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Utilize AdjustTrack module in Mocha for tricky clips
🎨 Why Use Mocha AE for Masking?
✅ Faster than manual rotoscoping
✅ Handles difficult perspective shifts
✅ Saves hours of frame-by-frame work
✅ Easily export masks or tracking data to After Effects
🔚 Final Thoughts
Mocha AE is a must-know tool for any serious After Effects user. Whether you're working on VFX, rotoscoping, or advanced compositing, Mocha AE masking is your time-saving ally.
