Need After Effects help
 

Hey, I just got After Effects and need help with something.

I've imported my desktop image and want to make it into a Dreamscene Background. I've set up the effect I want to use and set the keyframes and all that, but I want to change the Affected area so that the effect only changes what's going on inside the blob and preserves the biohazard symbols. (See images below.) Is there any way to do this or am I out of luck?

Click to enlarge.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...mapImage-9.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w..._desktop-8.jpg

I think you can mask the area in after effects, That will not help you if the area is moving.............dave

The area will be moving, wiggling about and such. I tried a mask, but after I set the mask where I wanted it to be, I couldn't figure out how to show the whole comp again... (See image)

EDIT: Figured out how to show it, now how do I make it so that the mask controls the effect coverage? Cause right now the mask is doing nothing.

EDIT: Figured it all out:

First duplicate the layer you are going to be applying the effect to (Control+D).

Next set up a mask on the layer on topmost layer, make sure that the box beside the word "Mask" is set to "Add".

Then set up your effect.

I think that's it... See screenshot.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...apImage-11.jpg

Not that you still need help, but have been trying to learn after effects too, and I think it would also be possible to 'pre-comp' this, and then bring that composition back into the main comp with your static/unaffected stuff.