Using the Property Mappers (Pro only)

In combination with keyframes, the Property Mappers provide complete control over individual particle properties in space and time. Using layer maps, you can change particle properties at any location within a frame. By applying keyframes to Property Mapper options and animating a layer map, you can control how particle properties change.

To use Property Mapper controls:

1. For Use Layer as Map, choose a layer map to use as the source for values that modify particle values. The layer map must be part of the composition. (See About layer maps (Pro only).)
2. To apply the effect to a subset of particles, specify the Affects controls as necessary. (See Affects controls for Particle Playground (Pro only).)
3. Choose a property for each of the Map Red To, Map Green To, and Map Blue To controls. You don't have to map properties to all of the color channels. For example, if you want to change scale over an image map, you can map the color red to scale without setting other properties.
4. Specify the minimum and maximum values you want the layer map to produce for each Map To group. Min is the value to which a black pixel is mapped, and Max is the value to which a white pixel is mapped. The complete tonal distribution between Min and Max is then scaled proportionally. (See Min and Max controls for Property Mappers (Pro only).)
5. If using the Ephemeral Property Mapper, you can apply an operator the value of a particle property and the value of the corresponding layer map pixel. (See Operator controls for the Ephemeral Property Mapper (Pro only).)

Note: Because particle properties use many kinds of units, such as pixels, degrees, and seconds, you may want to compress or expand the range of values from the layer map so that all the resulting values are usable in the measurement system of a specific particle property. First, use the Min and Max controls, which define the range of values to use from the layer map. If further adjustment is necessary and you're using the Ephemeral Property Mapper, use the Operator control and choose a mathematical operator to amplify, attenuate, or limit the effect of a layer map.