Applying Parameter Behaviors
Although all behaviors affect parameters of the objects to which they’re applied, Parameter
behaviors are applied to specific parameters of your choosing.
This includes the parameters of filters, emitters and cells in particle systems, shapes, text,
and so on. You can even apply Parameter behaviors to the parameters of other behaviors
applied to an object.
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Here’s a simple comparison of a behavior and a Parameter behavior. A Throw behavior
is applied to a text layer and the text travels across the Canvas. The Throw behavior affects
the Position parameter of the text layer. You can accomplish a similar effect by applying
a Ramp parameter behavior to the Position parameter, but the Ramp behavior can also
be applied to any other parameter such as Tracking or Opacity.
A Parameter behavior’s effect on an object depends on the parameter to which it is
applied. For example, if you apply the Randomize parameter behavior to a particle emitter’s
Position parameter, the emitter drifts randomly around the screen when the project plays.
Applying the Randomize parameter behavior to a shape’s Scale parameter makes the
shape randomly grow and shrink.
Important:
Although you can apply a Parameter behavior to an object, the applied
behavior does not affect the object until you select a parameter to apply the Parameter
behavior to. A more direct way to apply a Parameter behavior is by using the shortcut
menu in the Inspector.
To apply a Parameter behavior to a specific parameter of an object
1
Select the object to apply the Parameter behavior to.
2
Do one of the following:
• Control-click a parameter’s name in the Inspector, choose Add Parameter Behavior,
then choose an item from the submenu.
• Click the parameter’s Animation menu, choose Add Parameter Behavior, then choose
an item from the submenu.
• Control-click a parameter in the HUD, choose Add Parameter Behavior from the shortcut
menu, then choose an item from the submenu.
• Control-click a parameter in the Keyframe Editor, then choose a Parameter behavior
from the shortcut menu.
When you apply a Parameter behavior, the Behaviors Inspector opens.
Note: Use the pop-up menu above the Keyframe Editor to choose the parameters you
want displayed in the Keyframe Editor. For more information, see
Filtering the Parameter
List
.
To apply a Parameter behavior to an object
1
Do one of the following:
• Drag a Parameter behavior from the Library to an appropriate object in the Canvas,
Layers list, or Timeline.
Note: It is usually easier to drag a behavior to a camera or light in the Layers list or
Timeline than to the object in the Canvas.
• Select an object in the Canvas, Layers list, or Timeline, open the Add Behavior pop-up
menu in the toolbar, then choose an item from the Parameter submenu.
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The behavior is applied to the object, but no parameter is assigned to the behavior.
2
To assign a specific parameter to the Parameter behavior, do one of the following:
• Select the Parameter behavior, then choose a parameter from the Apply To pop-up
menu in the HUD.
• Select the Parameter behavior, then choose a Parameter behavior from the Apply To
pop-up menu in the Behaviors Inspector.
The parameter to which the behavior is applied appears in the Apply To text field.
Note: If you save a Parameter behavior as a favorite, the parameter assignment is saved
with the rest of that behavior’s settings. As a result, the saved behavior will affect the
same parameters of any object it is applied to.