Motion 5 - Creating Paint Strokes

Note: The stroke’s shape (defined by its control points) and open/closed state can be
modified in the Canvas or Inspector. Because a stroke is a shape, it can be edited like any
other shape, using the methods described in

How to Edit Shapes

.

After you select the Paint Stroke tool in the toolbar and before drawing the stroke in the
Canvas, you can define the color and other attributes of the stroke in the Paint Stroke
Tool HUD. In the HUD, you select a preset shape style to use as your brush source.

There are several ways to set the style of a paint stroke:

• Select a preset shape style in the Paint Stroke Tool HUD before drawing a stroke. If no

preset shape is selected before drawing a stroke, a basic solid stroke (outline) is created.

• Modify a paint stroke created with the Paint Stroke tool using the Shape Style pop-up

menu in the Style pane of the Shape Inspector.

• Select the Outline checkbox in the Shape HUD or the Style pane of the Shape Inspector,

then modify the outline of a shape (circle, rectangle, and so on) using the Outline
parameter controls.

• Drag a shape style (in the Shape Styles category) from the Library to the paint stroke

layer in the Layers list. The style of the shape from the Library is applied to the paint
stroke.

Depending on the effect you want, you may achieve better results using a stylus and
tablet with the Paint Stroke tool. Many styles and brushes take advantage of the pen
pressure and speed applied when creating the stroke using a graphics tablet. You can
apply the pressure or speed to different stroke parameters, such as width, opacity, and
spacing. For example, choosing Width from the Pen Pressure pop-up menu in the Paint
Stroke Tool HUD results in wider strokes when you apply more pen pressure.

Using the Write On parameter, you can record a stroke so it “draws” over time. In this
case, a Write On Shape behavior is applied to the stroke using as its settings the time it
took to draw the stroke and the speed at which each section of the stroke was created.
These settings can be modified after the stroke is created. A Write On behavior can also
be applied after a paint stroke is created. For more information on using the Write On
behavior, see

Write On

.

To make a paint stroke

1

Select the Paint Stroke tool (or press P).

The Paint Stroke tool HUD appears. (If it doesn’t appear, press F7.)

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Important:

Like the other drawing tool HUDs, the Paint Stroke Tool HUD is available only

after the Paint Stroke tool is selected and before you create your stroke in the Canvas.
The Paint Stroke Tool HUD allows you to determine the properties derived from the
pressure and speed of the stylus before the stroke is drawn.

2

Define a paint stroke style in the HUD:

a

Choose an option from the Shape Style preset pop-up menu.

b

Modify the Brush Color and Width settings.

If a preset is not used, a basic solid stroke is created. You can still apply a preset to the
stroke using the Inspector. Presets do not override the width or color of the stroke set
in the HUD.

Note: The Pen Pressure and Pen Speed parameters become available depending upon
the chosen style. These parameters are not available with a solid brush type.

3

If you want to create a stroke that is drawn over time, select the Write On checkbox.

When a paint stroke is created with the Write On checkbox selected, a Write On behavior
is applied to the stroke. As with any other behavior, you can modify its parameters in the
HUD or Inspector. For more information on using the Write On behavior, see

Write On

.

4

Draw your stroke in the Canvas, then press S or Esc to activate the Select/Transform tool.

The Paint Stroke Tool HUD is replaced with the Shape HUD, which contains basic
parameters identical to all other shape HUDs. Consequently, after a stroke is drawn, you
must use the Inspector to modify parameters unique to the paint stroke and its dabs.

The lower portion of the Paint Stroke Tool HUD contains a sketch area that allows you to
preview a paint stroke effect.

To preview the paint stroke in the Paint Stroke Tool HUD

1

Select the Paint Stroke tool in the toolbar.

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