Triangle Mask Node

The Triangle Mask is a basic 3-point mask. Its special feature: each vertex can be tracked independently (through right-click → Modify With → Tracker Position), unlike a Polygon where all the points share the same transform.

A notable absence: no classic Center/Size/Angle controls. The positioning depends only on the 3 vertices - if you want to move the whole triangle, you have to move the 3 vertices together (or connect them to a shared null).

• Effects Library: Tools > Mask > Triangle
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > Mask > Triangle

Polygon Mask (with 3 points)

Flexible, but groups all the points under a global Center/Size/Angle. Attached Trackers = everything follows together.

Triangle Mask

3 independent vertices, each of which can be tracked separately. No global transform. Simpler, but more flexible for specific cases.

Rule of thumb: a fixed or grouped triangle → 3-point Polygon. A triangle whose 3 points independently follow 3 features → Triangle Mask.

• Effect Mask (blue) - optional. A mask to combine through the Paint Mode.

Diagonal wipe:
MediaIn → Merge 2D ← MediaIn_B
          Effect Mask ← Triangle Mask (Point 3 animated from off-screen to on-screen)
          = progressive diagonal reveal

Tracked triangle (3 points on 3 features):
Triangle Mask (Point 1 → Tracker_A, Point 2 → Tracker_B, Point 3 → Tracker_C)
  → Effect Mask of a Blur
  = a blurred area that follows 3 separate points (e.g. the area between 3 objects)

Pyramid / directional arrow:
Triangle Mask (pointing up) → Color Corrector
  → arrow or pyramid icon as an overlay

Point 1 / Point 2 / Point 3 (X/Y)

Positions of the 3 vertices of the triangle. Crosshairs you can move directly in the viewer. Each point accepts a Tracker modifier through right-click → Modify With → Tracker Position.

Level

Mask opacity (0-1).

Soft Edge

Feathers the triangle edges. Box/Bartlett/Multi-box/Gaussian filter.

Solid

On: filled triangle. Off: outline only.

Border Width

Outline thickness when not Solid.

Invert

Inverts the mask.

Paint Mode

How it combines with the incoming mask: Merge, Add, Subtract, Multiply, Replace, etc.

What makes the Triangle Mask special is that each vertex can be attached to an independent Tracker:

1. Right-click Point 1 X (or Y) in the Inspector.
2. Modify With → Tracker Position → a Tracker modifier is attached.
3. Set up the tracking on a specific feature of the shot.
4. Repeat for Point 2 and Point 3 with other features.

The result: a triangle that deforms by following 3 distinct features. Impossible to do cleanly with a standard Polygon Mask.

• Diagonal wipe transition - Point 3 animated from off-frame into frame = a triangular reveal that sweeps across the image.
• Masking the area between 3 tracked features - e.g. the triangular area formed by 3 moving characters = each vertex on a character through a tracker = the mask adapts automatically.
• Pyramid / directional arrow - an oriented triangle for UI icons or indicators.
• Geometric reveal - an animated triangular shape that grows to reveal a logo or title.
• Graphic shape in motion design - a triangle as a stylized design element, with Soft Edge for a glow effect.
• Masking for directional effects - a triangle to isolate a "cone of focus" or a direction of movement.

• For a fixed triangle, a Polygon is simpler - the Triangle Mask only makes sense if you take advantage of the independent vertices.
• Separate Trackers = the unique feature - for a group of points moving together, a Polygon + 1 Tracker is simpler.
• Zoom in to place the vertices - pixel-perfect precision matters, especially for graphic wipes.
• Soft Edge to soften the corners - the triangle has very sharp corners. Soft Edge softens the whole shape for a less graphic / more organic look.
• Orientation through the point order - Point 1 at the top, 2 and 3 at the bottom = a classic upward-pointing triangle. Point 1 on the left, 2 on the right, 3 at the bottom = a downward-pointing triangle.
• Invert to reveal inside vs hide inside - depending on what the mask is for.
• For shapes with 4+ sides (quadrilateral, pentagon), use a Polygon Mask - more flexible.