Property Mapper controls (Pro only)

In both the Persistent and Ephemeral Property Mappers, you can use a layer map's alpha channel to make more subtle changes to the value of a particle property. For example, particles over a layer-map pixel in which the alpha channel value is 255 are fully affected, while lower values affect particles less. Layer-map pixels that are completely transparent have no effect on particle properties. (See About layer maps (Pro only).)

When you choose any of the following properties, Particle Playground copies the value from the layer map (that is, the layer selected in the Use Layer as a Map menu) and applies it to the particle.

None

Modifies no particle property.

Red, Green, Blue

Copy the value of the particle's red, green, or blue channel within a range of 0.0-1.0.

Kinetic Friction

Copies the amount of resisting force against a moving object, typically within a range of 0.0-1.0. Increase this value to slow down or stop moving particles as if braking.

Static Friction

Copies the amount of inertia that holds a stationary particle in place, typically within a range of 0.0-1.0. At zero, a particle moves when any other force, such as gravity, is present. If you increase this value, a stationary particle requires more of another force to start moving.

Angle

Copies the direction in which the particle points, in degrees relative to the particle's original angle. The angle is easily observable when a particle is a text character or a layer without radial symmetry.

Angular Velocity

Copies the velocity of particle rotation in degrees per second. This determines how fast a particle rotates around its own axis.

Torque

Copies the force of particle rotation. The angular velocity of a particle is increased by a positive torque and is increased more slowly for particles of greater mass. Brighter pixels affect angular velocity more forcefully; if enough torque is applied against angular velocity, the particle starts spinning in the opposite direction.

Scale

Copies the scale value of a particle along both the x and y axes. Use this to stretch a particle proportionally. A value of 1.0 scales the particle to its full size; a value of 2.0 scales it 200%, and so on.

X Scale, Y Scale

Copy the scale value of a particle along the x or y axis. Use these to stretch a particle horizontally or vertically.

X, Y

Copy the position of a particle along the x or y axis in the frame, in pixels. A value of zero specifies a position at the left of the frame (for X) or at the top of the frame (for Y).

Gradient Velocity

Copies the velocity adjustment based on areas of a layer map on both the x and y planes of motion.

X Speed, Y Speed

Copy the horizontal speed (x-axis velocity) or vertical speed (y-axis velocity) of a particle in pixels per second.

Gradient Force

Copies the force adjustment based on areas of a layer map on both the x and y planes of motion. The pixel brightness values in the color channel define the resistance to particle force at each pixel, so the color channel acts like a layer map of hills and valleys that decrease or increase particle force. In the layer map, areas of equal brightness result in no adjustment, similar to flat land. Lower pixel values represent less resistance to a particle's force, similar to a downhill grade. Higher pixel values represent more resistance to a particle's force, similar to an uphill grade. For best results, use a soft-edged layer map image.

If you are using a layer map for Gradient Force where flat areas equal no adjustment, and you are using the Min and Max controls (not the Min or Max operators) to set the range of values for Gradient Force, set them to positive and negative values of the same number (for example, -30 and +30). This ensures that the middle of the range remains centered at zero.

X Force

Copies the coercion along the x axis of motion. Positive values push a particle to the right.

Y Force

Copies the coercion along the y axis of motion. Positive values push a particle down.

Opacity

Copies the transparency of a particle, where zero is invisible, and 1 is solid. Adjust this value to fade particles in or out.

Mass

Copies the particle mass, which interacts with all properties that adjust force, such as Gravity, Static Friction, Kinetic Friction, Torque, and Angular Velocity. It takes greater force to move particles with a larger mass.

Lifespan

Copies the elapsed length of time a particle exists, in seconds. At the end of its lifespan, the particle is removed from the layer. The default lifespan is effectively immortal.

Character

Copies the value that corresponds to an ASCII text character, making it replace the current particle. Applies only if you're using text characters as particles. You can specify which text characters appear by painting or drawing shades of gray on the layer map that correspond to the ASCII characters you want. A value of zero produces no character. For U.S. English characters, use values between 32 and 127. The range of possible values can accommodate Japanese characters. For more information about the ASCII character values for a font you're using, see the documentation for the font, use a utility such as Character Map (Windows), or contact the font manufacturer.

Note: If you simply want to make certain characters spell a message, it's much easier to type the text directly in the Options dialog box. The Character property is more useful as a secret message effect in which you scramble text characters. (See Replacing default particles with text (Pro only).)

Font Size

Copies the point size of characters. Applies only if you're using text characters as particles. Increase this value to make characters larger.

Time Offset

Copies the Time Offset value used by the Layer Map. Applies only if you used the Layer Map control to specify a multiframe layer (such as a movie) as a particle source. (See Replacing default particles with layers using the Layer Map (Pro only).)

Scale Speed

Copies the scale of a particle. Positive values expand the particle, and negative values shrink the particle. Particles expand or shrink by a percent per second.