Apple Motion 3 - Manual (Page 211)

Chapter 2 Creating and Managing Projects 211
Fixing the Resolution of a PDF Object
Although PDF files have unlimited resolution, large PDF objects can consume a lot of
video memory, which could potentially limit Motion’s performance. To avoid this, you
have the option of limiting the resolution of each PDF image used in your project in
order to save video memory. By using the fixed resolution parameters, the files only
need to be rendered once. This allows for faster performance.
If you decide to fix the resolution of a PDF file, the width and height values you assign
should be equal to the largest scale at which you plan on using that object in your
project. For example, you might add a PDF of a map to your project with the intent to
scale it up to zoom into a particular country. To conserve video memory, you can set
the Fixed Width and Fixed Height parameters to the maximum size of the zoomed in
image. If at first you don’t assign enough resolution, the Fixed Width and Fixed Height
parameters can be changed at any time.
The fixed resolution parameters for PDF objects can be adjusted in the Media tab of the
Inspector. Select the PDF object in the Media tab of the Project pane to activate the
Media tab of the Inspector.
Fixed Resolution: A checkbox that fixes the resolution of a PDF object in the Media tab
to the size specified in the Fixed Width and Fixed Height parameters.
Fixed Width: A slider that sets the maximum horizontal resolution to which a PDF
object can be smoothly scaled.
Fixed Height: A slider that sets the maximum vertical resolution to which a PDF object
can be smoothly scaled.
Mixed Content Within PDF Files
Although PDF files can simultaneously contain PostScript-based art, PostScript text, and
bitmapped graphics, all of these types of image data do not scale the same. PostScript-
based art and text scale smoothly, but bitmapped graphics that are embedded in a
PDF file are subject to the same scaling issues as any other bitmapped graphics format.
As a result, they may 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.
Multi-Page PDF Files
You can import multi-page PDF files. When you do, an additional parameter called Page
Number appears in the Properties tab when the PDF object is selected. A slider appears
and allows you to set which page is displayed in the Canvas. This parameter can be
animated to display different pages over time.