MacroSystem Particle Magic - Manual (Page 6)

3
2. Individual components
2.1 Effects
PM Draw
This image-processing effect superimposes
animated particles on scenes.
You can load predefined sequences from the
archive or create your own customized versions.
A mask, similar to the one used in the
"Video
SpiceRack " and "Liquid Images" programs, is
used to define the basic characteristics ( "Source"
button). Pressing the "Particle" and "Movement"
buttons will take you to other menus containing a
whole range of different options with which you
can influence the appearance of the effect.
PM Transition
You can use this transition effect to create a cross-
fade from one scene to another.
Again, you can load predefined sequences from
the archive or create your own customized
versions.
A mask, similar to the one used in the
"Video
SpiceRack " and "Liquid Images" programs, is
used to define the effect ( "Effect" button). A
crossfade between the two scenes is carried out
along the gradient level that’s defined by the
mask, and the particles form in the transition
region. The appearance and behavior in this
region is defined by various settings in the
"Particle" and "Movement" sections.
PM Static
This transition effect does not create a crossfade.
Instead it uses a special effect to place the scene on
the right in front of the scene on the left.
We recommend that you use a predefined title as
the subject of the right-hand scene. However,
interesting effects can also be created using
footage that you have recorded. The subject
should, if possible, be placed against a black
background, since black is interpreted as transpa-
rent and that is where the left scene can be seen.
If moving subjects are used on the right-hand
side, an additional effect is generated. A simple
moving dot, for instance, can be made to look like
a burning fuse.
You can load predefined sequences from the
archive or create your own customized versions.
The two scenes and the effect should all have the
same length.
PM Fly Away
This transition effect is a mixture of
"PM Transit-
ion " and "PM Static." In this case too, the right-
hand scene is placed as the subject in front of the
left scene. Though here you can also select a mask
to fade out the subject.
For the right-hand scene, use a predefined title on
a black background. Again, you have the option of
loading predefined sequences from the archive or
creating your own customized versions.
2.2 Archive
The archive contains numerous predefined
settings. You should start by loading and trying
out the supplied examples contained in the
archive.
The first two letters of the name refer to the type
of effect for which each particular entry has been
optimized. You can also use archive entries that
have been created using other effects, although the
results may not look quite as good.
FA - PM Fly Away
ST - PM Static
TS - PM Transition
DR - PM Draw
The archive can also be used as a place to store
your own creations or adaptations of existing
entries so that you can use them later - even in
other projects.