Is the AI Object Mask Tool available in older versions of Premiere Pro?

No. It is introduced in Premiere Pro 26.

Do I still need After Effects for rotoscoping?

For advanced rotoscoping, After Effects is better, but for quick masking, Premiere Pro 26 is now very powerful.

Does the mask work on fast-moving subjects?

Yes, but results depend on lighting and motion blur.

Can I combine this with other effects?

Yes. You can combine it with text layers, color grading, blur effects, and transitions.

Premiere Pro

How to Use AI Object Mask Tool in Premiere Pro 26 (Auto Track Subjects Instantly)

Beginner

5 mins

Kabeer Khan

Creator

Feb 15, 2026

Watch on YT

Overview

Introduction

Adobe Premiere Pro 26 introduces a powerful new feature: the AI Object Mask Tool, designed to automatically detect and track moving subjects inside your video clips.

This tool eliminates the need for manual frame-by-frame masking and significantly speeds up complex editing workflows.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to:

Automatically select moving objects
Refine mask selections
Track subjects forward and backward
Apply masks correctly in Effect Controls
Create the “text behind subject” effect
Adjust feather settings for smooth edges

By the end, you’ll be able to use the AI Object Mask Tool in Premiere Pro 26 confidently and professionally.

What Is the AI Object Mask Tool?

The AI Object Mask Tool uses Adobe’s machine learning technology to:

Detect subjects automatically
Create precise masks
Track objects without manual keyframing

This replaces the traditional rotoscoping workflow inside Premiere Pro.

Tools Used

Adobe Premiere Pro 26

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

7 Steps

Locate the AI Object Mask Tool

Open Premiere Pro 26. On the left side of the interface, locate the Object Mask Tool. Hover your mouse over the object you want to isolate. You will see the object highlighted in red, indicating automatic detection.

Create the Mask

Click on the highlighted area. Premiere Pro will generate an outline around the selected object. This is your AI-generated mask.

Refine the Selection

If the mask is not perfect: Click the Plus (+) icon Use either: Lasso Tool Rectangle Tool Add additional areas to improve the selection. The new version in Premiere Pro 26 is significantly more accurate than the beta version.

Track the Object

Click the central Track Forward and Backward button. Premiere Pro will automatically track the subject across the entire clip. No manual frame-by-frame adjustments needed.

Apply the Mask Properly

This is important. Go to the Effect Controls panel. You’ll see: Unassigned Mask Object Mask Drag it into the Opacity section of the clip. Now the mask becomes active.

Refine Mask Edges

Adjust the Feather setting in the Opacity section. Increasing feather softens the edges for a smoother blend. This makes the mask look natural and professional.

Create “Text Behind Subject” Effect

Add text behind your subject in the timeline. Because your subject is masked, the text will appear behind the person. This creates a cinematic layered look. The AI Object Mask Tool makes this complex effect extremely simple.

Transcript

In this video, I’ll show you how to use the new AI Object Mask Tool in Premiere Pro 26.

This feature allows you to automatically detect and track moving subjects without manually masking frame by frame.

First, locate the Object Mask Tool on the left side of the Premiere Pro interface.

Hover your mouse over the object you want to isolate. You’ll see it highlighted in red.

Click on the highlighted area to create a mask.

If the selection is not perfect, use the plus icon and choose either the Lasso or Rectangle tool to refine it.

Once satisfied, click the track forward and backward button to automatically track the object throughout the clip.

To activate the mask, go to Effect Controls and drag the “Unassigned Mask Object Mask” into the Opacity section.

Now adjust the feather setting to soften the edges.

Finally, you can create a text-behind-subject effect by placing text under the masked clip in the timeline.

The AI Object Mask Tool in Premiere Pro 26 makes complex masking extremely fast and efficient.