Using Property Mappers (PB only)

In combination with keyframes, the Property Mapper options 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 set particle properties:

1. In the Effect Controls window under Particle Playground, expand the Persistent Property Mapper or Ephemeral Property Mapper. You can use one or both as necessary.
2. 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. For more information, see About layer maps (PB only).
3. To apply the effect to a subset of particles, specify the Affects properties as necessary (see Using Affects options to specify particles (PB only)).
4. For each of the Map Red To, Map Green To, and Map Blue To option groups, choose a property from the menu to associate it with the color channel as necessary. 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.
5. If necessary, for each Map To option group, specify the lowest and highest values you want the layer map to produce using the Mix and Max options. Min is the value to which a black pixel will be mapped, and Max is the value to which a white pixel will be mapped. The complete tonal distribution between Min and Max is then scaled proportionally. See Using Min and Max options to adjust the output range of a layer map (PB only).
6. If you're using the Ephemeral Property Mapper, you can also choose an operator to apply to the value of a particle property and the value of the corresponding layer map pixel. For more information, see Using Ephemeral Property Mapper operators to adjust values (PB 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 options, 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 mathematical operators that can amplify, attenuate, or limit the effect of a layer map.