Working with Particle Color Modes


You've modified a few of the cell parameters that affect the life and movement of the particles; now let's look at the Color Mode parameters.

The Color Mode pop-up menu has five options:

  • Original The default setting; the particles maintain the color of the original object they are derived from.

  • Solid Allows you to tint the particles with a solid color that you select from the Colors window.

  • Over Life Tints the color of the particles based on their age. A gradient control defines the range of color that each particle assumes as it ages.

  • Pick From Range Tints the particles randomly with a range of possible colors that you select in a gradient control.

  • Take Image Color Bases the color of the particle on the color of the image in the position at which the particle was originally generated.

Let's experiment with the Pick From Range mode to select a range of colors for the particles.

1.

On the Emitter tab in the Inspector, open the Color Mode pop-up menu and choose Pick From Range.

The colors of the particles in the Canvas vary from red to blue, and a Color Range gradient appears on the Emitter tab.

NOTE

You may need to scroll down to the bottom of the Emitter tab to see the Color Mode parameter and the Color Range gradient.

To edit the Color Range gradient, you first need to click the disclosure triangle on the Color Range parameter.

2.

Click the Color Range disclosure triangle to view the Gradient Editor.

Gradient Editor

The Gradient Editor controls include square color tags that can be used to change the selected color in the Color well.

3.

On the Gradient Editor, click the red color tag (a small red square) to select that color in the Color well.

4.

Click the Color well to open the Colors window.

5.

In the Colors window, select a yellow color.

The Gradient Editor instantly updates to a new yellow-to-blue gradient, and the particles in the Canvas are now a range of colors that match the gradient.

As you can see, it's easy to change the color tint of the particles in the Inspector.

You'll work more with gradients in the next lesson.

6.

Close the Colors window; then press Cmd-S to save your progress.



    Apple Pro Training Series Getting Started with Motion
    Apple Pro Training Series: Getting Started With Motion
    ISBN: 0321305337
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 283
    Authors: Mary Plummer

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