Motion 5 - Stroke Pane Parameters

Opacity Over Stroke:

An opacity control that appears when Stroke Color Mode is set to

Use Brush Color. Use it to change the opacity of dabs based on their location on the
stroke. This gradient control is limited to grayscale values, which are used to represent
varying levels of transparency. White represents solid dabs, progressively darker levels of
gray represent decreasing opacity, and black represents complete transparency. A simple
white-to-black gradient represents a stroke that is solid at its start, but fades out gradually
over its length until finally vanishing at the end. For information on using gradient editors,
see

Gradient Controls

.

Gradient preset
pop-up menu

Use the gradient preset pop-up menu to load a custom or preset opacity gradient into
the gradient editor.

Note: None of the default gradients have opacity gradients. If a color gradient preset is
selected, it has no effect on the opacity gradient.

Color Over Stroke:

A gradient editor defining the range of color of the stroke, beginning

with the leftmost color in the gradient, and progressing through the range of colors until
reaching the rightmost color at the end of the stroke. Gradual color changes do not
appear in each dab, only across the stroke as a whole. An opacity bar appears at the top
of the gradient editor. For information on using gradient editors, see

Gradient Controls

.

1155

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes

Color Range:

A gradient editor that appears when the Stroke Color Mode is set to Pick

From Color Range. Use it to define a range of colors used to randomly tint the stroke’s
paint dabs. The direction of the gradient colors is not relevant, only the number of colors
that appear in the gradient. The Color Range parameter has the same controls as the
Color Over Stroke parameter. For information on using gradient editors, see

Gradient

Controls

.

Color Repetitions:

When you choose Color Over Stroke from the Stroke Color Mode

pop-up menu, the Color Repetitions parameter becomes available. Drag this slider to
increase the number of times the gradient is repeated over the stroke.

Spacing Over Stroke:

This mini-curve editor allows you to customize the spacing of the

dabs over the length of the stroke. You can create a curve that gradually increases the
dabs’ spacing over the length of the stroke, create a curve that varies the dabs’ spacing
over the length of the stroke, and so on. Select or add a keyframe in the graph to make
changes to the Spacing Over Stroke and Stroke Length parameters.

In the following illustrations, the default Spacing Over Stroke value of 100% in the
mini-curve editor creates an even distribution of the dabs—based on the value set in the
Spacing parameter in the Style pane. For more information on using the mini-curve editor,
see

Mini-Curve Editor

.

1156

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes

In the following illustrations, the Spacing Over Stroke curve in the mini-curve editor is
adjusted so a greater value is used at the start of the stroke, and 100% is used at the end
of the stroke. The dabs at the beginning of the stroke are spaced more widely apart and
get closer at the end of the stroke.

Two controls let you fine-tune the curve in the graph:

• Spacing Over Stroke: Use the sliders or enter a number in the value field to change the

value of the selected keyframe.

• Stroke Length: Stroke Length is mapped horizontally on the mini-curve editor graph

and provides a visual representation of the position of the changes in spacing value
(keyframes) over the length of the stroke. Use the sliders or enter a number in the value
field to change the value of the selected keyframe.

Note: For information on using the mini-curve editor, see

Mini-Curve Editor

.

Fixed Brush Dabs:

When animating brush strokes using behaviors or keyframes, selecting

the Fixed Brush Dabs checkbox keeps the number and spacing of the dabs constant
regardless of the changes in the stroke’s shape over time. The effect of this parameter is
not visible when editing a paint stroke on a single frame.

Anchor Dabs To:

This pop-up menu, available when the Fixed Brush Dabs checkbox is

deselected, defines how dabs are added to or removed from a paint stroke when the
length of the paint stroke is modified. When the Fixed Brush Dabs checkbox is selected,
dabs are anchored to the start and end of the paint stroke. There are two options:

• Start: Adds dabs to or removes dabs from the start point of a paint stroke when the

length of the paint stroke is modified. The first dab on the stroke remains fixed.

1157

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes

• Start and End: Adds dabs to or removes dabs from the start and end points of a paint

stroke when the length of the paint stroke is modified. The first and last dabs on the
stroke remain fixed.

Note: Changing a shape’s control points or adjusting the Width or Spacing parameters
(in the Style pane) or Spacing Over Stroke and Width Over Stroke parameters (in the
Stroke pane) affect the dab spacing because larger dabs can be spaced further apart.

Width Over Stroke:

This mini-curve editor allows you to customize the width of the dabs

over the length of the stroke. You can create a curve that gradually increases the dabs’
width over the length of the stroke, create a curve that varies the dabs’ width over the
length of the stroke, and so on. Select or add a keyframe in the graph to make changes
to the Width Over Stroke and Stroke Length parameters. The start value for the dab width
is based on the value set in the Width parameter in the Style pane. For more information
on using the mini-curve editor, see

Mini-Curve Editor

.

Two controls let you fine-tune the curve in the graph:

• Width Over Stroke: Use the sliders or enter a number in the value field to change the

value of the selected keyframe.

• Stroke Length: Stroke Length is mapped horizontally on the mini-curve editor graph

and provides a visual representation of the position of the changes in width value
(keyframes) over the length of the stroke. Use the sliders or enter a number in the value
field to change the value of the selected keyframe.

The Width Over Stroke parameter can be adjusted on the selected paint stroke in the
Canvas. For more information, see

Using the Width Over Stroke Onscreen Controls

.

Brush Scale:

A slider and value field that allow you to change the size of the brush (the

source of the dabs). Click the disclosure triangle to adjust the X and Y scale values
independently. By default, Scale is set to 100%—the size of the dabs is equal to the size
of the source brush. Unlike the width parameter in the Style pane, brush scale adjustments
only affect the size of the dabs and don’t preserve the spacing between dabs.

1158

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes

Brush Scale Randomness:

Defines an amount of variance in the scale of the stroke’s

brush. A value of 0 results in no variance—all dabs in the stroke are the same size. A value
greater than 0 introduces a variance. The scale for an individual dab is defined by the
Scale parameter, plus or minus a random value falling within the Brush Scale, Width Over
Stroke, and Width (in the Style pane) parameters. Click the disclosure triangle to adjust
the X and Y values independently.

Align Brush Angle:

When this checkbox is selected, the stroke dabs rotate to match the

shape on which they are positioned.

Brush Angle:

Specifies (in degrees) the rotation of the stroke dabs. Using the default dial

or value slider modifies the Z angle. When the Local 3D checkbox is selected, additional
Brush Angle Randomness controls become available. Click the disclosure triangle to
expose X, Y, and Z rotation dials and the Animate pop-up menu.

• Animate: Only available when the Local 3D checkbox is selected, this pop-up menu

allows you to change the interpolation for animated 3D rotation channels. Click the
Brush Angle disclosure triangle to display the Animate parameter. By default, Animate
is set to Use Rotation.

• Use Rotation: The default interpolation method. Pattern elements rotate from their

start rotation to their final rotation. Depending on the animation, the elements may
twist this way and that before reaching their final orientation (the last keyframed
value). For example, if the X, Y, and Z angle parameters are animated from 0 degrees
to 180 degrees in a project, the elements rotate on all axes before reaching their final
orientation.

• Use Orientation: This alternate interpolation method provides smoother interpolation

but does not allow multiple revolutions. It interpolates between the pattern elements’
start orientation (first keyframe) to their end orientation (second keyframe).

1159

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes

Angle Over Stroke:

This mini-curve editor allows you to customize the Z rotation (in

degrees) of the dabs over the length of the stroke. You can create a curve that gradually
increases the dabs’ angle over the length of the stroke, a curve that varies the dabs’ angle
over the length of the stroke, and so on. Select or add a keyframe in the graph to make
changes using the Angle Over Stroke and Stroke Length controls.

• Angle Over Stroke: Use the dial or value slider to change the value of the selected

keyframe.

• Stroke Length: Stroke Length is mapped horizontally on the mini-curve editor graph

and provides a visual representation of the position of the changes in angle value
(keyframes) over the length of the stroke. Use the sliders or enter a number in the value
field to change the value of the selected keyframe.

Brush Angle Randomness:

Defines an amount of variance in the rotation of the stroke

dabs. A value of 0 results in no variance—all dabs have the same rotational value. A value
greater than 0 introduces a variance. The angle for an individual dab is defined by the
Brush Angle and Angle Over Stroke parameters, plus or minus a random value falling
within the Brush Angle Randomness.

Using the default dial or value slider modifies the Z angle. To individually modify the
rotation of the dabs in X, Y, and Z space, or to access the Animate parameter, click the
disclosure triangle when the Local 3D checkbox is selected.

• Animate: Only available when the Local 3D checkbox is selected, this pop-up menu

allows you to change the interpolation for animated 3D rotation channels. Click the
Brush Angle Randomness disclosure triangle to display the Animate parameter. By
default, Animate is set to Use Rotation.

• Use Rotation: The default interpolation method. Pattern elements rotate from their

start rotation to their final rotation. Depending on the animation, the elements may
twist this way and that before reaching their final orientation (the last keyframed
value). For example, if the X, Y, and Z Angle parameters are animated from 0 degrees
to 180 degrees in a project, the elements rotate on all axes before reaching their final
orientation.

• Use Orientation: This alternate interpolation method provides smoother interpolation

but does not allow multiple revolutions. It interpolates between the pattern elements’
start orientation (first keyframe) to their end orientation (second keyframe).

Local 3D:

This checkbox allows you to take advantage of the Motion 3D workspace. When

the Local 3D checkbox is selected, the following become possible:

• When the Face Camera checkbox is selected, paint dabs actively face the camera when

the camera or stroke is rotated and/or animated.

1160

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes

• When the Dab Depth Ordered checkbox is deselected, dab ordering remains consistent

when the paint stroke (or the camera) is rotated in X or Y space. When this checkbox
is selected, the dabs jump in front of each other each time the stroke rotates
180 degrees. In other words, this checkbox draws the dabs in the stroke according to
each dab’s actual 3D position in the project. Dabs that are closer to the camera appear
closer; dabs that are farther from the camera appear more distant.

• When the Dynamics checkbox is selected in the Advanced pane, a paint stroke acts

similarly to an emitter—the dabs become particles. When the Local 3D checkbox is
selected, the dabs are animated in 3D space. When the Local 3D checkbox is deselected,
the particles are animated in X and Y space only. For more information on Dynamics,
see

Advanced Pane Controls In the Inspector

.

• When the Dynamics checkbox is selected in the Advanced pane, dabs can be pulled

out of their plane when some Simulation behaviors are applied. For example, if a paint
stroke has an applied Attracted To behavior (with the Affect Subobjects checkbox
selected), and the target layer is in a different location in Z space, the dabs are pulled
into Z space and move toward the target layer. The paint stroke must be a member of
a 3D group to be pulled out of the X and Y planes by a behavior.

Use the following guidelines when working in 3D with paint strokes:

• Even in a 2D project, a paint stroke’s general properties can be adjusted in 3D space.

For example, you can modify the Z parameter using the Position, Scale, Rotation,
and Anchor Point controls in the Properties Inspector.

• Paint strokes do not receive reflections (controlled in the Properties Inspector) unless

the Local 3D checkbox is deselected.

• Paint strokes do not cast shadows (controlled in the Properties Inspector) unless the

Local 3D checkbox is deselected.

• Lighting does not effect paint strokes unless the Local 3D checkbox is deselected.

Important:

Although the Local 3D checkbox is selected, paint strokes do not intersect

with the “global” 3D world. This means that paint strokes can exist in 3D space, but do
not intersect with objects that exist inside their own group, or objects in other groups.
A 3D paint stroke is composited with the rest of the objects in the project based on layer
order.

Face Camera:

Available only when the Local 3D checkbox is selected, the stroke dabs

actively face the camera if the camera is rotated or if the paint stroke is rotated and/or
animated when this checkbox is selected. When the Face Camera checkbox is deselected,
the elements face forward in the replicator pattern and appear flat (unless the source
layer or paint dabs are rotated in 3D space).

1161

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes

Because paint source dabs are 2D (flat) objects, the pattern elements are not visible when
you use the orthogonal camera views, such as Left, Right, and Top (unless the source
layer or dabs are rotated in 3D space). This is because orthogonal views are at right angles
(perpendicular) to the elements. For more information on using cameras, see

Cameras

.

Dab Depth Ordered:

Available only when the Local 3D checkbox is selected, paint dab

ordering remains consistent when the paint stroke is rotated in X or Y space when this
checkbox is selected. When not selected, the dabs jump in front of each other each time
the stroke rotates 180 degrees.

Jitter:

This slider and value field allow you to create a little chaos in your paint dabs. The

higher the value, the more dispersed the dabs. Click the disclosure triangle to display the
individual X and Y controls. Jitter can be animated so the dabs behave like particles.

• Jitter: Moves the dabs both parallel and perpendicular to the stroke’s curves at its

control points.

• X: Moves the dabs parallel to the stroke’s curves at its control points.

• Y: Moves the dabs perpendicular to the stroke’s curves at its control points.

Jitter Over Stroke:

This mini-curve editor allows you to customize the scatter of the dabs

over the length of the stroke. You can create a curve that gradually increases the dabs’
jitter over the length of the stroke, a curve that varies the dabs’ jitter over the length of
the stroke, and so on. Select or add a keyframe in the graph to make changes using the
Jitter Over Stroke and Stroke Length controls.

• Jitter Over Stroke: This parameter is divided into two channels. Click the disclosure

triangle to display the individual X and Y controls. Use the X parameter to adjust
keyframes that define the amount of dab movement parallel to the stroke’s curve at
specific points along the stroke (red curve). Use the Y parameter to adjust keyframes
that define the amount of dab movement perpendicular to the stroke’s curve at specific
points along the stroke (green curve). Use the Jitter Over Stroke parameter to adjust
the amount of dab movement in both directions at specific points along the curve
(adjusts red and green curve simultaneously).

1162

Chapter 20

Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes