PhotoPlus X2 User Guide - Serif

Applying animation effects
Creating Animations 161
You can turn a variety of PhotoPlus effects (those found on the Effects menu) into
animated transition sequences. The process "in-betweens" or "morphs" a layer from
a designated starting frame into an end state over a specified number of frames,
creating one new layer per frame. You have the option of creating brand new
frames or spreading the sequence over existing frames. If you like, you can select a
"Ping Pong" option that builds in a reverse sequence so the end state visually
matches the starting point.
You can either have PhotoPlus create a sequence of new frames for the effect
(check Create as new frames) or you can create some empty frames yourself and
then generate the effect with the Create as new frames option unchecked. This will
integrate the new layers into the existing blank frames, beginning with the
designated Start frame.
To use text or shapes with animation effects, first merge the text or shape
layer into a standard layer, or convert it to a standard layer by right-clicking
on the layer name and choosing Rasterize from the flyout menu.
To apply a special effect:
1. Select the frame, and the specific layer on the frame, you want to use as the
starting point (we'll just call this the "Start frame").
2. Click the Effects button on the Animation tab to display the Animation
Effects dialog. The dialog provides two preview windows (for the Start and
End frames) that initially display the contents of the selected layer.
3. Click an effect name in the Effects list. The dialog changes to provide custom
controls for each effect (try clicking on different effects for a preview).
4. Click the left-hand (Start Preview) window to set properties for the starting
frame (note the red border when selected), adjust the controls or enter values,
then click the right-hand (End Preview) window and choose settings for the
final frame, as the preview windows update.
5. To set the length of the sequence, enter a value in the Number of Frames box.
The process will create a series of new "shown" layers, with one new layer per
frame. In other words, a six-frame sequence always adds six new layers to the
image.