Apple Motion 4 - Manual (Page 1118)

In the following illustrations, the Spacing Over Stroke curve in the mini-curve editor is
adjusted so that a greater value is used at the start of the stroke, and 100% is used at the
end of the stroke. The dabs at the beginning of the stroke are spaced more widely apart
and get closer at the end of the stroke.
Two controls let you fine-tune the curve in the graph:
• Spacing Over Stroke: Use the sliders or enter a number in the value field to change the
value of the selected keyframe.
• Stroke Length: Stroke Length is mapped horizontally on the mini-curve editor graph
and provides a visual representation of the position of the changes in spacing value
(keyframes) over the length of the stroke. Use the sliders or enter a number in the value
field to change the value of the selected keyframe.
Note: For information on using the mini-curve editor, see Mini-Curve Editor .
Fixed Brush Dabs: When animating brush strokes using behaviors or keyframes, selecting
the Fixed Brush Dabs checkbox keeps the number and spacing of the dabs constant
regardless of the changes in the stroke’s shape over time. The effect of this parameter is
not visible when editing a paint stroke on a single frame.
Anchor Dabs To: This pop-up menu, available when the Fixed Brush Dabs checkbox is
deselected, defines how dabs are added to or removed from a paint stroke when the
length of the paint stroke is modified. When the Fixed Brush Dabs checkbox is selected,
dabs are anchored to the start and end of the paint stroke. There are two options:
• Start: Adds dabs to or removes dabs from the start point of a paint stroke when the
length of the paint stroke is modified. The first dab on the stroke remains fixed.
• Start and End: Adds dabs to or removes dabs from the start and end points of a paint
stroke when the length of the paint stroke is modified. The first and last dabs on the
stroke remain fixed.
Note: Changing a shape’s control points or adjusting the Width or Spacing parameters
(in the Style pane) or Spacing Over Stroke and Width Over Stroke parameters (in the
Stroke pane) affect the dab spacing because larger dabs can be spaced further apart.
1118 Chapter 17 Using Shapes, Masks, and Paint Strokes