CyberLink PowerDirector Help

Click on the particle object Properties tab to change the properties of the selected particle object. See the following sections for detailed information on the properties you can modify on this tab.

•Selecting Emit Method

•Selecting Particle Style

•Adding/Deleting Particles

•Modifying Parameters

•Enabling 3D Depth

•Adding Color

•Applying Fades

Selecting Emit Method

Select a particle object in the keyframe timeline and then the Emit Method option to select how the particles emit from the source point. You can have them emit from a single point, from a line, or spray out in a circle.

Select the Mask option, and then select a mask from the list (or click to import a custom mask image) to create a masked area where particles emit from. Depending on the mask you select/import and how you resize it, the particles will emit differently.

Selecting Particle Style

Select a particle object in the keyframe timeline and then the Particle Style option to select the style of the emitting particle object. Depending on the property you select, the particle shape and behavior changes. Select the style that best suits the effect you are trying to accomplish.

Adding/Deleting Particles

Particle objects can consist of one or more particles, or small customizable images. Select a particle object in the keyframe timeline and then the Add/Delete Particles option to add or remove individual particles from a particle object.

Click on and then select Insert a Default Image if you want to select one of the particle images provided with your copy of CyberLink PowerDirector. Select Insert a Custom Image if you want to import your own custom particle image. You can add as many custom particles as you like to a particle object.

Select an existing particle and then click to delete it from the particle object.

Modifying Parameters

Select a particle object in the keyframe timeline and then the Modify Parameters option to completely customize the properties of the particle object as follows:

•Emit rate: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the rate or speed particles emit from the source point.

•Max count: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the number of particles that emit from the source point.

•Life: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the life, or how long the particle displays in the effect. The lower the number, the shorter amount of time each particle displays before fading out.

•After particle life ends*: after setting the life of the particle object, select what happens once the particle expires:

•Loop Playback: loops the animation for the duration of the clip.

•Freeze on First Frame: once the animation is complete, freezes on the first frame or image in the sequence.

•Freeze on Last Frame: once the animation is complete, freezes on the last frame or image in the sequence.

•Stop Playback: stops playback once the animation is complete.

•Life variation: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the amount of variation there is in particle life. For example, if you enter 50, then half of the particles will die out before they meet the specified life amount.

•Size: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the size of the particle.

•Size variation: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the amount of variation there is in particle size. For example, if you enter 50, then half of the particles will equal the defined size.

•Speed: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the speed of the particle.

•Speed variation: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the amount of variation there is in particle speed. For example, if you enter 50, then half of the particles will have the defined speed.

•Wave (amplitude): use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided if you want your particle to travel in a wave pattern. The higher the number, the bigger the amplitude of the wave. If the value is 0, then the particle travels in a straight line.

•Wave (amplitude) variation: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the amount of variation there is in wave's amplitude. For example, if you enter 50, then half of the particles will have the same amplitude.

•Wave (frequency): use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided if you want your particle to travel in a wave pattern. The higher the number, the larger the frequency of the wave. If the value is 0, then the particle travels in a straight line.

•Wave (frequency) variation: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the amount of variation there is in wave's frequency. For example, if you enter 50, then half of the particles will have the same frequency.

•Symmetry: use the slider or enter in a value to set the symmetry of the wave. The higher the value, the more asymmetrical the wave will be.

•Rotation: use the slider to rotate all the particles to your preference. If you want the particles to spin, adjust the rotation speed parameter.

•Rotation speed: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the rotation speed of the particle. The higher the value, the faster it rotates. Depending on whether the parameter has a positive or negative value determines the direction of the rotation.

•Rotation speed variation: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the amount of variation there is in the particle's rotation speed. For example, if you enter 50, then half of the particles will have the same rotation speed.

•Gravity: use the slider or enter in a value in the box provided to set the amount of gravity applied to the particle. Depending on whether the parameter has a positive or negative value determines the direction of the gravitational pull.

Enabling 3D Depth

Select a particle object in the keyframe timeline and then the 3D Settings* option if you are creating a 3D video production and want the particle object to have a 3D effect.

Select Enable 3D depth to enable, and then use the slider to set the amount of depth you want the particle object to have in 3D. Dragging the slider left will make the 3D particle object seem nearer to the audience (in the foreground), while dragging it right will make it appear farther away (in the background).

Adding Color

Select a particle object in the keyframe timeline and then the Color option if you want to add or change the color of the particles. To do this, select Enable color and then set the following options:

•Select color: click the colored box to select the color of the selected particle object.

•Opacity: use this slider to set the opacity or transparency level of the particle object.

•Enable particle overlay: select this option to enable an overlay on colored particles to change their appearance, if required.

Applying Fades

Select a particle object in the keyframe timeline and then the Fades option to apply the following fade effects:

•Enable emitter fade-in: enabling this option applies a fade in at the beginning of the particle object.

•Enable emitter fade-out: enabling this option applies a fade out at the end of the particle object.

•Enable particle fade-in: enabling this option applies a fade in on each particle as it is emitted.

•Enable particle fade-out: enabling this option applies a fade out on each particle as it expires.

When an emitter fade is applied, note that a keyframe indicator is added to the particle object's track on the keyframe timeline, indicating the duration of the fade.

You can click and drag the keyframe indicator to customize the duration of the fade, if required.