Taper scales the shape across its axis, from full width at one end to End Scale at the other. 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
- Choose Geo Ops ▸ Deformers ▸ Taper, or Effects ▸ Distort ▸ Taper. On a shape or text layer it becomes a Geo Op; on footage, precomps and other pixel layers it is added as a raster effect with the same parameters.
- Set End Scale and Axis.
Parameters
| Name | What it does | Default/range |
|---|---|---|
| End Scale | Width at the far end. | 0.25×, min 0 |
| Axis | Direction of the taper. | 0°, −360–360° |
| Length | Length of the cage. 0 fits the shape. | 0 px (fit), min 0 |
| Offset X / Y | Moves the cage. | 0, 0 px |
| Pin | Which part of the cage stays put while the rest deforms: Start, Center or End. | Start |
| Scope | Whole Layer deforms everything above it as one (a row of copies becomes an arc). Each Clone deforms every copy in its own frame. | Whole Layer |
| Deform stroke | The stroke thickens and thins with the warp (the AE look). Off keeps its width and strokes the warped path. | Off |
| Falloff | Where it acts. See Falloff. | off (everywhere) |