What It Does
First Vertex Toolkit gives you precise control over where masks and paths begin drawing. In After Effects, the first vertex determines how stroke-on effects and shape reveals animate. This script lets you change that starting point without manually editing path points.
Useful when you need stroke animations to start from a specific location, reverse direction, or randomize across multiple layers. Works with both mask paths and shape layer paths.
Key Features
Random mode. Randomizes the starting vertex on selected masks or paths. Good for adding variation to multiple animated strokes.
Reverse mode. Flips the direction a path draws. If your stroke-on animation goes the wrong way, this fixes it in one click.
Closest to Point mode. Sets the first vertex to whichever point sits closest to a reference object, like a null. If you need a stroke to begin near a specific element in your comp, position a null and let the script find the nearest vertex.
The panel also includes selection buttons to grab all masks or all shapes on the current layer, making batch operations faster.
Who It’s For
Motion designers working with line animations, reveal effects, or kinetic typography. Anyone who’s fought with stroke-on timing or had to manually reorder vertices will find this helpful. Compatible with After Effects CS6 through 2024.
Pricing
Pay what you want, with a suggested minimum of $4.99. Individual users can set their own price. Teams and businesses should pay the suggested amount for a valid license.