Apple Motion 5.1.1 - Manual (Page 172)

Chapter 6 Create and manage projects 172
Fixing the resolution of a PDF object
Although PDF files have unlimited resolution, large PDF objects can consume a lot of video
memory, which can hinder performance in Motion. To avoid this problem, limit the resolution
of each PDF image to save video memory. By using fixed-resolution parameters, the files are
rendered once, ensuring better performance.
The fixed-resolution parameters for PDF objects are adjusted in the Media Inspector. Select
the PDF source media in the Media list to activate the Media pane of the Inspector. Adjust the
following controls to modify the PDF’s fixed-resolution parameters:
•
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Use this pop-up menu to assign a nonsquare pixel aspect ratio to the file. In
most cases, the “From file” menu option is the best choice because it assigns the PDF source
file’s native aspect ratio. Choose a different menu item only if you want to override that
native setting.
•
Fixed Resolution: Select this checkbox to fix the resolution of PDF source media to the size
specified in the Fixed Width and Fixed Height sliders.
•
Fixed Width: Use this slider to set the maximum horizontal resolution to which a PDF object
can be smoothly scaled.
•
Fixed Height: Use this slider to set the maximum vertical resolution to which a PDF object can
be smoothly scaled.
•
Use Background Color: Select this checkbox to substitute a custom background color for
transparent portions of the PDF. Choose the background color in Background Color controls
•
Background Color: Use these color controls, available when Use Background Color is selected,
to set the background color for transparent portions of the PDF.
•
Crop: Use these sliders (Left, Right, Bottom, and Top) to crop the edges of the PDF image,
if necessary. These controls crop the PDF source media (and all layers linked to that source
media). To crop an individual layer, use the Crop parameters in the layer’s Properties Inspector.
Mixed content in PDF files
Although PDF files can contain a mix of PostScript-based art, PostScript text, and bitmapped
graphics, each format has different scaling properties. PostScript-based art and text scale
smoothly, but bitmapped graphics embedded in a PDF file are subject to the same scaling issues
as other bitmapped graphics formats. As a result, bitmapped graphics can soften if scaled larger
than their original size.
Note: Form objects, buttons, and JavaScript objects that are present in an imported PDF file do
not appear in Motion.
Multipage PDF files
You can import multipage PDF files. When you do, a parameter called Page Number appears in
the Properties Inspector when the PDF object is selected. Drag the slider to set which page is
displayed in the Canvas. Animate this parameter to display different pages over time.
Important: Multilayered PDF files are not supported. To import a multilayered illustration, export
each layer as a separate PDF file and import these as a nested group of objects in Motion.
About alpha channels
Ordinary video clips and image files have three channels of color information: red, green, and
blue. Many video and image file formats also support an additional alpha channel, which
contains information defining areas of transparency. An alpha channel is a grayscale channel
where white represents areas of 100 percent opacity (solid), gray regions represent translucent
areas, and black represents 0 percent opacity (transparent).
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