Trim Paths
The Trim Paths group controls which part of each path is visible. Use it to draw strokes on or off, create traveling segments, reveal multiple paths in sequence, or combine trimmed strokes with dashes, width changes, and gradients.
Trim Start and Trim End define the visible range. Animate one or both to create write-on and write-off effects.
Controls
Trim Start
Trim Start
Trim Start sets the beginning of the visible range from 0% to 100%.
At the default value of 0%, the visible range starts at the beginning of the path. Raising Trim Start moves the start point forward along the path, hiding the earlier portion.
If Trim Start becomes greater than Trim End, Thicc Pro swaps the two values internally. This keeps the visible range valid, but it means crossing animated start and end values will not invert the stroke.
Trim End
Trim End
Trim End sets the end of the visible range from 0% to 100%.
At the default value of 100%, the visible range reaches the end of the path. Lowering Trim End moves the end point backward along the path, hiding the later portion.
Animate Trim End from 0% to 100% for a simple draw-on. Animate Trim Start after it to make the stroke travel along the path like a moving segment.
Trim Offset
Trim Offset
Trim Offset rotates the visible range around the path.
The value is an angle: 360 degrees equals one full trip around the path. This makes it useful for looping motion. For example, a narrow trim range with animated Trim Offset creates a segment that travels continuously along the path.
When the offset pushes the visible range past the end of a path, the range wraps back to the beginning. On open paths, this can produce two visible pieces: one near the end and one near the start.
To use Trim Offset to rotate variable width around a path, see Phase-shifting a width profile.
Trim Multiple Paths
Trim Multiple Paths
Trim Multiple Paths controls how trim values are applied when the source contains more than one path.
Simultaneously
Applies the same trim range to every path at once
Individually
Treats the paths as an ordered sequence and trims across that sequence
Use Simultaneously when separate paths should draw on together. Use Individually when paths should appear one after another, such as letters, repeated shapes, or multiple light motion paths.
Trim Time Offset (sec)
Trim Time Offset
Trim Time Offset staggers animated Trim Start and Trim End values across multiple paths when Trim Multiple Paths is set to Simultaneously.
Each path samples the trim animation at a different time. Negative values make later paths use earlier animation values, which can create a trailing reveal. Positive values make later paths use later animation values.
Trim Offset is not time-staggered. The same Trim Offset value is applied to every path.
Trim Order
Trim Order
Trim Order changes the path order used by Trim Multiple Paths.
Reverse
Uses the path order from last to first
Increment
Reorders paths into an alternating sequence
Randomize
Shuffles the path order
With Trim Multiple Paths set to Individually, these options change the sequence that paths are revealed through. With Trim Multiple Paths set to Simultaneously, they only have a visible effect when Trim Time Offset (sec) is creating a stagger.
Interactions
Dashes
Trimming happens before dashes are generated. When Enable Dashes is checked, dashes are created inside the current trimmed range.
This means Trim Start, Trim End, and Trim Offset control the overall visible window, while Dash, Gap, Dash Offset, and Dash Multiplier define the smaller visible pieces inside it.
Width Scope and Gradient Scope
Width Scope and Gradient Scope can use trim segments as their mapping domain.
Individual Trims
Width or color restarts across each trimmed segment
Individual Dashes
Width or color restarts across each dash segment
Use Individual Trims when every revealed segment should receive a complete width curve or gradient. Use Individual Dashes when dashes should each receive their own complete width curve or gradient.
Reverse Path Direction
Reverse Path Order reverses the trim direction since what is considered the Trim Start and Trim End has been reversed. You can use this as a shortcut to reversing the trim direction if you have your animation laid out but simply want to invert the start and end.
Repeater
Trim paths are applied after repeater copies have been collected, so repeater copies are trimmed too.
This lets a repeated trail reveal and disappear with the same Trim Start, Trim End, and Trim Offset controls as the original stroke.
For an illustrated explanation of the processing sequence, see Trim Paths with repeater copies.
Interface Conditionals
Trim Time Offset (sec)
Trim Time Offset (sec) is only shown for simultaneous trimming.
Trim Multiple Paths is Simultaneously
Trim Time Offset (sec) is shown
Trim Multiple Paths is Individually
Trim Time Offset (sec) is hidden
Trim Order and Random Seed
Trim Order and Random Seed are always visible, but their visible effect depends on the trim mode and options.
Randomize is unchecked
Random Seed has no visible effect
Trim Multiple Paths is Simultaneously and Trim Time Offset (sec) is 0
Trim Order has no visible effect
Trim Multiple Paths is Individually
Trim Order changes the path reveal sequence
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