Generate Effects - Adobe AFTER EFFECTS CS3 PROFESSIONAL User Manual

Generate effects

4-Color Gradient effect
The 4-Color Gradient effect produces a four-color gradient. The gradient is defined by four effect points, the
positions and colors of which can be animated using the Positions & Colors controls. The gradient is actually
composed of four solid-color circles blended together, each with an effect point as its center.
This effect works with 8-bpc and 16-bpc color.
Higher values create more gradual transitions between colors.
Blend
The amount of jitter (noise) in the gradient. The jitter, which reduces banding, affects only those areas where
Jitter
banding could occur.
The opacity of the gradient, as a fraction of the layer's Opacity value.
Opacity
The blending mode to use in combining the gradient with the layer.
Blending Mode
Advanced Lightning effect
The Advanced Lightning effect creates simulations of electrical discharges. Unlike the Lightning effect, Advanced
Lightning doesn't self-animate. Animate the Conductivity State or other properties to animate the lightning.
The Advanced Lighting effect includes the Alpha Obstacle feature, with which you can make the lightning go around
designated objects.
This effect works with 8-bpc color.
Specifies the characteristics of the lightning.
Lightning Type
Note: The type determines the nature of the Direction/Outer Radius contextual control. In the Breaking type, the
branches are focused toward the Direction point as the distance between Origin and Direction increases.
Specifies the point of origin for the lightning.
Origin
This control changes depending on the Lightning Type:
Direction, Outer Radius
•
The Direction or Outer Radius control is not available if Lightning Type is Vertical.
Not In Use
• Specifies the distance that the lightning travels from its origin. This control is enabled if Omni or
Outer Radius
Anywhere is selected as the lightning type. Use it to terminate the lightning at a defined distance from the origin.
•
Specifies the direction that the lightning will travel. This control is enabled if any of the following
Direction
lightning types are selected: Direction, Strike, Breaking, Bouncy, and Two-Way Strike.
Changes the path of the lightning.
Conductivity State
These controls adjust various characteristics of the lightning's core.
Core Settings
These controls adjust the lightning's glow.
Glow Settings
Note: To disable the glow, set Glow Opacity to 0. This setting can speed up rendering time significantly.
Specifies the influence of the original layer's alpha channel on the path of the lightning. The
Alpha Obstacle
lightning attempts to wrap itself around opaque areas of the layer's alpha channel, seeing them as an obstacle.
Note: If Alpha Obstacles is set to a value other than 0, it's not always possible to preview the correct result in less than
full resolution; full resolution may reveal new obstacles. Be sure to check the result in full resolution before final
rendering.
AFTER EFFECTS CS3 418
User Guide