> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://animoia.gitbook.io/animoia-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://animoia.gitbook.io/animoia-docs/effects-reference/paths.md).

# Paths

Reshapes editable vector geometry before it is filled or stroked. Every effect below is listed in the sidebar, so you can jump straight to one. Return to [Effects reference](/animoia-docs/effects-reference.md) for stack behavior shared by all effects.

## Inflate

Pushes a path outward into a rounder shape or pulls it inward into spikes. Add it from **Effects > Paths** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Apply this only to editable shape geometry. The changed path is then filled and stroked by the shape layer.

**Properties**

| Name   | Control | Visual or audible result                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ------ | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Amount | Number  | Pushes the outline outward into a rounder, fatter shape at positive values and pulls it inward at negative ones. Past the point where every handle meets the center, it overshoots into long thin spikes. |

## Offset Path

Creates expanded or contracted copies of a path. Add it from **Effects > Paths** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Apply this only to editable shape geometry. The changed path is then filled and stroked by the shape layer.

**Properties**

| Name        | Control | Visual or audible result                                                                                                                                        |
| ----------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Amount      | Number  | Moves the outline outward by this distance, or inward when negative, growing or shrinking the shape while keeping its form.                                     |
| Copies      | Number  | Draws this many concentric outlines, each one stepped a further **Amount** away, as contours of a single compound shape.                                        |
| Copy Offset | Number  | Renumbers the copies so the set starts somewhere other than the first step. `-1` starts it on the original outline, and lower values walk the whole set inward. |
| Miter Limit | Number  | Caps how far a sharp corner is allowed to spike when the outline is pushed out, exactly like a stroke miter limit.                                              |
| Union       | Toggle  | Cleans up the self-crossings a large offset folds into the outline, which is what stops a stroke drawn on it from sprouting spurs.                              |

## Swiggle

Displaces a path with smooth random noise for a hand-drawn, wobbling outline. Add it from **Effects > Paths** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Apply this only to editable shape geometry. The changed path is then filled and stroked by the shape layer.

**Properties**

| Name          | Control | Visual or audible result                                                                                                                                                          |
| ------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Amount        | Number  | Sets how far the outline is pushed off its original course at the peaks of the noise. Negative values displace it the other way.                                                  |
| Detail        | Number  | Sets how many wobbles appear along the outline: low values give a few long lazy bends, high values a rapid ripple.                                                                |
| Phase         | Number  | Slides the noise along its own axis, reshaping the wobble without moving the path. This is a static pose rather than a speed, so keyframe or wiggle it to make the outline crawl. |
| Seed          | Number  | Picks a different random noise field, giving a completely different wobble at the same settings.                                                                                  |
| Corner Points | Toggle  | Keeps the displaced points as sharp corners instead of smoothing them into curves, for a jagged rather than flowing outline.                                                      |

## Wave

Bends a path into a regular wave running along its outline. Add it from **Effects > Paths** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Apply this only to editable shape geometry. The changed path is then filled and stroked by the shape layer.

**Properties**

| Name          | Control | Visual or audible result                                                                                                                                                                              |
| ------------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Amount        | Number  | Sets how far the outline swings away from its original course at each wave crest. Negative values start the wave in the opposite direction.                                                           |
| Wavelength    | Number  | Sets the distance along the outline from one crest to the next, so smaller values pack in more waves. On a closed shape it snaps to a whole number of waves per lap so the wave meets itself cleanly. |
| Shape         | Menu    | Chooses the wave profile: **Sine** rolls smoothly, **Triangle** rises and falls in straight runs, **Square** steps between two extremes, and **Sawtooth** ramps up then drops.                        |
| Phase         | Number  | Slides the wave along the outline, which is what animates it traveling around the shape.                                                                                                              |
| Corner Points | Toggle  | Forces the wave points to stay sharp corners. Sine is otherwise smoothed back into curves; the other shapes are always faceted.                                                                       |

## Twist

Reshapes editable vector paths with twist before they are filled or stroked. Add it from **Effects > Paths** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Apply this only to editable shape geometry. The changed path is then filled and stroked by the shape layer.

**Properties**

| Name   | Control    | Visual or audible result                                          |
| ------ | ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Angle  | Number     | Rotates the direction of the effect around the layer.             |
| Center | 2D control | Moves the visual center or origin of the effect across the layer. |

## Round Corners

Turns sharp path corners into smooth curves. Add it from **Effects > Paths** by double-clicking it or dragging it onto a compatible layer.

> **Note:** Apply this only to editable shape geometry. The changed path is then filled and stroked by the shape layer.

**Properties**

| Name   | Control | Visual or audible result                                                      |
| ------ | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Radius | Number  | Changes how far the effect spreads outward from each affected pixel or point. |


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