5

The Colors window has four sections: the icons at the top select picker interfaces; the
large color swatch shows the current color; the middle section shows the active picker;
and the row of boxes can be used to save swatches.
To show the Colors window
Do one of the following:
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Click a color well.
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Choose View > Show Colors.
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Press Command-Shift-C.
To pick a color in the Colors window
Do one of the following:
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Click a color in the color picker area.
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Click the magnifying glass, then click anywhere on the computer screen to choose a color.
Note: When you open the Colors window by clicking a Motion color well, the color you
click in the Colors window loads into the well, and the selected object in the Canvas
changes color. However, when you open the Colors window from the View menu (or by
pressing Command-Shift-C), clicking a color in the Colors window does not load the color
into the well or change the selected object. In this case, drag a color swatch from the
Colors window to the color well. Similarly, if you leave the Colors window open and select
a another object in the Canvas, clicking in the Colors window does not change the newly
selected object.
To save a color to the Colors window saved swatch area
1 Select a color in the picker or by using the magnifying glass.
2 Drag the color from the large swatch to a white square at the bottom of the Colors
window.
Colors saved in this area remain accessible across applications and restarts.
Tip: To add white squares, drag the bottom of the Colors window down.
Eyedropper
An eyedropper control beside the color well lets you pick a color in use in the Motion
Canvas. By choosing from colors in your scene you ensure that elements remain in the
same palette, creating a more cohesive and integrated design.
To pick a color using the eyedropper
1 In the Inspector, click the eyedropper for the color parameter you want to set.
The pointer turns into an eyedropper.
2 Click a color in the Canvas.
That color is assigned to the color well.
131Chapter 3 User Interface Controls