2

Chapter 4 Arts and Letters 141
For even more variation, you can apply Parameter behaviors to particle cells.
Combining the power of behaviors with the inherent particle system parameters allows
you to easily create complex, limitless effects that are nearly impossible to accomplish
any other way.
Adding Particles to Your Project
There are two ways to add particles to a project. The first method—and the easiest—is
to apply a preset particle effect from the Library into your project. You can quickly
customize a preset particle effect after it is added to your project, as well as replace the
preset’s particle cells with your own images or objects. The second way to add particles
is to use an object in your project, such as a shape or image, to generate particles.
Adding a Preset Particle System
You can quickly apply a particle effect to your project using a pre-made particle system
from the Library. The preset particle effects are located in the Particle Emitters category
of the Motion Library. Once added to your project, you can modify all parameters
associated with the particle system.
Note: You can save a preset particle system that you have modified back to the Library,
and can preview the modified presets in the same manner as other particle effects. For
more information on saving customized particle systems, see Chapter 8, “Working With
Particles,” in Motion Help.
To browse for a particle system in the Library:
1 In the Library, select the Particle Emitters category, then select a particles subcategory.
The particle effects for that category appear in the stack.
2 In the stack, click a particle emitter.
In the following image, the Gravity Phone emitter is selected (from the SciFi
subcategory) in the stack and plays in the Preview area.
To add the selected particle system to your project, do one of the following:
m
In the Preview area, click Apply.
2505.book Page 141 Wednesday, June 30, 2004 5:58 PM