Path Deform runs the shape along a rail, bending it to follow the curve. Deformers move points, not whole clones: the path is warped before it is filled and stroked, so nothing clips at the layer bounds.
How to use it
- Draw the rail: another element on this layer, a mask, or a path on another shape layer.
- Choose Geo Ops ▸ Deformers ▸ Path Deform (or Effects ▸ Distort ▸ Path Deform).
- Pick the Rail. Animate Offset to slide the shape along it.
Path Deform works on shape and text layers only.
Parameters
| Name | What it does | Default/range |
|---|---|---|
| Rail | The path the shape runs along: an element of this layer, a mask on any layer, or a shape layer. | this layer's first element |
| Element | (shape layer rail) Which element of that layer is the rail; 0 is its first. | 0 |
| Offset | Slides the shape along the rail. | 0 |
| Start | Where on the rail the shape starts. | 0 |
| End | Where on the rail it ends. | 1 |
| Axis | Which direction of the shape runs along the rail. | 0°, −360–360° |
| Stretch to fit | Stretch the shape over Start to End. Off keeps its length in pixels. | On |
| Wrap closed rail | On a closed rail, run round it instead of off the end. | Off |
| Show rail | (rail on this layer) Keep drawing the rail, or use it as a guide only. | On |
| Deform stroke | The stroke thickens and thins with the warp. Off keeps its width. | Off |
| Falloff | Where it acts. See Falloff. | off (everywhere) |