Apple Motion 3 - Manual (Page 727)

Chapter 8 Working with Particles 727
Life: A slider that defines the duration of every particle, in seconds. This parameter
specifies how long each particle lasts before vanishing from existence. This effect is
similar to how sparks disappear after flying away from a sparkler. Unless the Color Over
Life or Opacity Over Life parameters are used to fade each particle out over its life,
particles immediately vanish at the end of their lifetimes.
Life Randomness: A slider that defines an amount of variance in the life of generated
particles. A value of 0 results in no variance—all particles from the selected cell emerge
with the same lifetime. A value greater than 0 introduces a variance defined by the Life
parameter, plus or minus a random value falling within the Life Randomness.
Speed: A slider that defines initial speed. This parameter determines how quickly each
particle flies away from the emitter. This, in conjunction with the Life and Birth Rate
parameters, determines how many particles appear in the Canvas at any given frame. It
is equivalent to one of the functions of the graphical emission control in the HUD.
Speed Randomness: A slider that defines an amount of variance in the speed of
generated particles. A value of 0 results in no variance—all particles from the selected
cell emerge 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.
Align Angle: When turned on, the particles automatically rotate to match the shape
on which they are positioned. This parameter is available in all cases but the
following: Rectangle, Circle, Image, Box, and Sphere shapes with Tile Fill or Random Fill
and Point.
Angle: A dial that defines the angle of rotation, in degrees, at which new particles are
created.
Angle Randomness: A dial that defines an amount of variance in the angle of
generated particles.
Life set to 5 (frame 60) Life set to 2 (frame 60)