5.5

814Motion User Guide
• Fill Opacity: A slider (available when Fill Mode is set to Color) that adjusts the opacity of
the fill (independently of the outline, if the Outline parameter is enabled).
• Gradient preset pop-up menu (unlabeled): A pop-up menu (available when Fill Mode
is set to Gradient) that applies a preset gradient (from the Gradients category in the
Library) to the selected shape. In addition to the preset gradients, any custom gradients
you’ve saved to the Library appear in this list.
• Gradient editor: A standard gradient editor (available when Fill Mode is set to Gradient)
that sets custom color and opacity gradients. Click the disclosure triangle to the left
to display all the gradient controls. For more information on using gradient editors, see
Gradient editor controls in Motion. The controls for the Gradient editor are identical to
the gradient controls for text, with one exception: The text gradient parameters include
a dial to control the angle of the gradient. The shape gradient parameters, however, use
Start and End point controls, available in the Inspector or via onscreen controls.
• Feather: A slider that feathers (softens) the edges of a shape. Positive feathering values
soften the edge of the shape from its edge outward. Negative feathering values soften
the edge of a shape inward from the edge.
Note: You cannot feather an object when the Outline activation checkbox is selected.
• Falloff: A slider that controls how “steep” the feathering is. Higher values result in
feathering that’s pushed farther inward, so the edge of the feathering effect is more
transparent. Lower values result in the “core” of the feathering effect being pushed
farther outward, so the edge of the feathering effect is less transparent.
Note: You cannot adjust Falloff when the Outline activation checkbox is selected.
Outline controls
Use this group of parameters to set the outline attributes of a shape. An activation
checkbox turns on or off the outline parameters for a selected shape. When you select the
Outline checkbox, outline controls become available.
• Brush Type: A pop-up menu that sets the kind of brush used to draw the outline. There
are three options:
• Solid: Creates a solid outline along the shape spline or paint stroke. This is the
default setting.
• Airbrush: Creates an outline made up of editable brush strokes referred to as dabs.
You can set the dabs to be close together so the line appears solid, or you can space
the dabs further apart. When Brush Type is set to Airbrush, the Stroke and Advanced
panes become available in the Shape Inspector.
• Image: Lets you use an image layer in your project as a dab source. When Brush
Type is set to Image, the Stroke and Advanced panes become available in the
Shape Inspector.