We are going to add another Image Mask that will cause our reflection to fade away. We will be applying this mask to the "Magic Mirror" layer, not the already-masked fire clip. For our mask reference, we will use a Gradient generator. We will need to temporarily disable the filters, though, because the Mirror filter would conceal the gradient from us while we're working on it.

Add the generator

  1. In the Layers List, click on the filters switch next to the "Magic Mirror" name to disable the filters .
  2. In the Utility Panel, click on the 'Library' tab to view your Library.
  3. From the left-hand column, select the 'Generators' category.
  4. In the view below, drag-and-drop the Gradient generator into the "Magic Mirror" layer in the Layers List. Make sure that the generator is on top of the fire clip.

And now you're staring at the delightful default gradient. We'll change the gradient's color to a more mask-friendly grayscale, resize and reposition it.

Adjust the generator

  1. Select the gradient and view the 'Generator' tab of the Inspector.
  2. Set the Height value to one-half of the project height. For my 720x486 project, that comes to 243.
  3. From the Gradient preset menu , select the 'Grayscale' preset.
  4. Twirl open the Gradient disclosure triangle and click the reverse button to change the gradient from white-to-black to black-to-white
  5. In the Canvas, position the generator so that it fills the bottom-half of the project area.

By default, an Image Mask uses the Alpha channel (transparency) of the mask reference image, such as the alpha of the text in our first mask. In this case, we are going to use the Luminance (grayscale) values of the reference image: the grayscale gradient. We will tell the mask to be more subtractive (transparent) where the lighter parts of the gradient are, which is why we put the white part of the gradient on the bottom.

Before we apply our mask, however, we need to fine-tune the start- and end-points of our gradient.

Adjust the gradient points

  1. In the Layers List, select the gradient.
  2. Right-click in the Canvas (or Ctrl+click) and pick 'Edit Position' from the first section of the contextual menu.
  3. In the Canvas, position the end-point (white) so that it is at the the bottom-center of the project area.

We're ready to apply and configure our Image Mask:

Apply the Image Mask

  1. In the Layers List, select the "Magic Mirror" layer.
  2. Select Object->Add Image Mask (or press Cmd+Shft+M) to create the mask.
  3. In the Layers List, drag-and-drop the gradient into the "Magic Mirror" Image Mask.
  4. Select the Image Mask and view the 'Image Mask' tab of the Inspector.
  5. Set the Source Channel to 'Luminance'.
  6. Set the Mask Blend Mode to 'Subtract'.
  7. In the Layers List, click on the "Magic Mirror" filter toggle to re-enable the layer's filters .

Again, instead of using a mask to isolate an area (like our first mask), we are using this one to remove an area, hence the use of the 'Subtract' mask blending mode.

You should now see your reflected text in all of its fiery goodness:

Conclusion

The way this effect is built, you can easily adjust the blur and gradient values to change the nature of the reflection. Also, the reflection is based on the contents of the "Magic Mirror" layer, whatever they may be, so you can add more objects to be reflected, or even animate the position of the objects within the layer. And since the reflection is self-contained, you can even duplicate the entire layer to have multiple reflection planes, similar to Apple's Front Row look.

It's been a long journey for a simple effect, but you now understand how Image Masks and nesting/pre-comping can give you a lot more control over your projects. Good luck and have fun!

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