MrGruntHunter | 6 years ago | 5 comments | 1,085 views
Michiel,
This exercise I've been struggling with in trying to create a smoke trail has been frustrating to say the least. Is it possible when adding the "Add Particles to Active Layer" we could have included in the selectable items the "Smoke01_8x8.png" particle as a new feature? Along with that how about along with the 'Target Layer' adding a 'Source Layer' ? As it is now you can only select 'Smoke01_8x8.png' if you are adding a new stand alone particle layer.
Also, along the lines of SASgtRod's comment about copying and pasting layers from one show to another it would be very convenient if we could copy and paste an entire container. My thought about this is that maybe we could create a smoke trail in a container, like Vincent has done with EPS layers for his Locomotive, and then Copy & Paste or save that container to use in other shows, more or less like a subroutine.
I think when you save your smoke effect as a preset, you have exactly what you want.
Choose PRESET > SAVE PRESET AS.... to save the active layer as a preset. After doing this, your own preset will show up next time you add a particle layer.
michiel, 6 years ago
CONTROL M can be used to copy containers.
This adds all layers of another show to the current show. Layers that you don't need can be deleted after the merge.
michiel, 6 years ago
When you copy a container from one show to 'paste into another, are all of the attributes of all layers in that container retained ?
In Vincent's example he created a container, then two EPS layers within that container and then attached a particle layer to one of the EPS layers. After that the particle layer was set to target the other EPS layers. If I just saved that particle layer as a preset and tried to use it in another show then I would think that it would be targeting a layer that either doesn't exist or an incorrect layer. That's what got me to thinking about an option to copy the entire container. I don't think you can save a container as a preset, or can you?
MrGruntHunter, 6 years ago
All layer attributes are retained.
And yes, the TARGET LAYER property is problematic. You probably have to set it after selecting the preset.
CONTROL M is the easiest way to import a container. If you do not want to delete the layers you are not interested in, you could create a prepared show in which all those unnecessary layers have already been deleted. This will be a show without a camera and without lights and only 1 container layer and its children.
michiel, 6 years ago
OK, I was trying to use the CNTRL-M as a 'Copy & Paste' from a source show and 'paste' it into another show ..... That doesn't work obviously. It took me a little bit to figure out the proper procedure.
I think what I'm going to do is create another folder in my personal folder and title it 'special effects'. That way I can strip unneeded layers and just save then as individual shows for later use.
BTW: SpaceX launched successfully. I heard some rumbling out side and then two sonic booms when the two booster landed.
MrGruntHunter, 6 years ago
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