---
title: "07 - Paths From Masks"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/07-Tao-paths-from-masks.html"
section_path: "Particles and 3D > Tao > 07 - Paths From Masks"
description: "The Paths from Masks group allows you to use After Effects masks as paths for Tao geometry. The AE masks must be applied to the same layer to which Tao is …"
---

# 07 - Paths From Masks

Tao

## Paths from Masks

The Paths from Masks group allows you to use After Effects masks as paths for Tao geometry. The AE masks must be applied to the same layer to which Tao is applied. The masks can be open or closed paths.

![paths_fromMask_ui](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/paths_fromMask_ui1_trapcode-tao.png)

**Enable Paths from Masks** will use masks applied to the same layer to be used as Tao paths. Note that this is on by default.

**Use All Masks**uses each mask on the layer as a separate path. If you disable the Use All Masks option, you can selectively choose which mask to use as a path from the Mask pop-up menu.

**Position** sets the position of the path generated from the mask(s).

**Rotate X/Y/Z** rotates the path(s) around the x, y, and z axes. Note that this transformation happens before the Repeat Paths group and the World Transform group are processed. So, to rotate repeated paths, you would use the parameters in the World Transform group.

- **Rotate X:**Rotate forward or backward around the x axis.
- **Rotate Y:**Rotate to the left or right around the y axis.
- **Rotate Z:**Rotate around the z axis.

Enable tapered edges by turning on the **Taper Size** checkbox. Selecting this option also enables other parameters for adjusting the taper.

![taper_maskpath](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/taper_maskpath1_trapcode-tao.png)

**Start Path**specifies (in percentage) where the geometry begins along the path. **End Path**specifies (in percentage) where the geometry ends along the path. **Start Taper**determines (in percentage) where the starting taper ends and the geometry is its normal size. **End Taper**determines (in percentage) where the ending taper begins.