Dynamics controls

Select the activation checkbox and adjust this group of parameters to animate paint stroke dabs in particle-like fashion. Click the Show button on the right side of the Dynamics row to reveal the Dynamics controls:

• Emission Angle: A dial and value slider that set the direction in which the paint dabs travel. This parameter works in conjunction with the Emission Range parameter (described below).

• Emission Range: A dial and value slider that restrict the area in which the dabs travel, in the direction of the Emission Angle. Setting the Emission Range parameter to 0 degrees keeps dabs perpendicular to the paint stroke.

• Life: A slider that defines the duration of each dab, in seconds, controlling how long each dab lasts before disappearing—similar to how sparks disappear after flying away from a sparkler.

• Life Randomness: A slider and adjacent value slider that define an amount of variance in the life of the paint dabs. A value of 0 results in no variance—all dabs from the selected stroke share the same life span. A value greater than 0 introduces a variance defined by the Life parameter, plus or minus a random value falling within the Life Randomness value.

• Speed: A slider that defines initial speed, determining how quickly each dab flies away from the stroke.

• Speed Randomness: A slider that defines an amount of variance in the speed of the paint dabs. A value of 0 results in no variance—all dabs from the selected stroke move with the same speed. A value greater than 0 introduces a variance defined by the Speed parameter, plus or minus a predetermined random value falling within the Speed Randomness value.

• Spin: A dial that animates the dabs of a paint stroke by initially spinning each dab around its center. Adjustments to this control are in degrees per second.

• Spin Randomness: A dial that defines an amount of variance in the spin of the paint dabs. A value of 0 results in no variance—all dabs from the selected stroke spin at the same rate. A value greater than 0 introduces a variance defined by the Spin parameter, plus or minus a random value falling within the Spin Randomness value.

Pen Pressure and Pen Speed controls

When you draw paint strokes with a connected Wacom stylus and tablet, or apply a shape style from the Shape Style pop-up menu to an existing paint stroke, two additional groups of controls appear in the Advanced pane:

• Pen Pressure: Controls that let you adjust the width, opacity, spacing, angle, or jitter of the paint stroke based on the pressure of your stylus on the tablet when the stroke was created. These controls are identical to the controls in the Apply Pen Pressure shape behavior. For more information, Apply Pen Pressure.

• Pen Speed: Controls that let you adjust the width, opacity, spacing, angle, or jitter of the paint stroke based on the speed of your stylus on the tablet when the stroke was created. These controls are identical to the controls in the Apply Pen Pressure shape behavior. For more information, see Apply Pen Speed.