Adobe Director Basics

ADOBE DIRECTOR BASICS
3D basics
To create a simple collision wall around more complex geometry
To create objects with geometry that you can modify on the fly, or for any other purpose where pre-defined models
cannot be used.
Extruder resources
The extrude3d() function is designed to create an #extruder resource from a text cast member. However, you can
change the vertexList property of an #extruder resource after it has been created.
To see an example of this, download the movie Extruder.dir, , and launch it.
You can use a vectorShape member to define the shape of an #extruder model resource
Note: The 2D co-ordinates of a vectorShape member are measured rightwards and downwards, where the 3D coordinates
of a model resource are measured rightwards, upwards, and forwards. As a result, the shape of an #extruder
resource appears to be flipped vertically. An #extruder resource has only one mesh. The same shader is applied to both
front and back, and it is smeared along the sides.
You can modify the smoothness, tunnelDepth, , and displayFaces properties of an #extruder resource.
Particle emitters
Particle systems are different from the other primitives. Instead of being shapes, they create cascades of moving
particles. You can use these to simulate dust, clouds, rain, smoke, fire, fireworks, and many other randomly animated
systems of particles.
A particle is simply a square plane that turns to face the camera. You can place a texture on this plane. You can use
transparency in the texture to give it a specific (non-square) shape.
The emitter can be a point, a line, or an area defined by a set of four points in space. The particles can be made to change
size, color, size, and blend over time. You can set the maximum and minimum speed. You can make the particles start
in a given direction, follow a path, drift with a wind, and fall due to gravity. You can make an emitter create a single
burst of particles, like a firework, or produce particles continuously. You can move the emitter about in 3D space,
without moving the model itself.
Experimentation is the best way to find which settings give the results that you are looking for.
Last updated 8/26/2011
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