9

Types of Gradients 379
Load Bitmap—
Displays a 3ds Max file browser so
you can select a bitmap to use as your gradient.
Unlike UV Map, the Load Bitmap option
only reads the first row of pixels for the entire
animation. This is a good option when you need
to have a complex but static gradient.
Fla g M od e—Indicates you are using flags to set the
colors of your gradient instead of using a bitmap
as the source. Flag Mode is selected by default.
Compositing Meth ods
Thelastfiveoptionsontheshortcutmenuare
different t ypes of composit ing methods. When
you work with Color and Transparency gradient
controls in any of the Lens Effects filters, you
must be aware of both the Radial and Circular
gradients. Both Lens Effects color gradients and
both Transparency gradients are "locked together"
and will work together based on the compositing
methodyouchoosetocreateaneffect.
Each compositing method works on a
pixel-by-pixel basis on the positional value in both
gradients. The compositing methods define how
the colors and brightness values are combined to
form a single color. When combining the colors,
thealgorithmsevaluateeachcolorchannelofthe
color to find the end result. This lets you creat e
five very different looking effects with the same
two gradients.
High V al ue—When this option is selected, the
higher color or brightness value between the two
gradients is selected. For example, if you had a
color with RGB va lues of 255,210,255 and another
w ith 225,240,225, the resulting color would be
255,240,255. This option generally results in a
slightly br ighter lens flare than the default settings.
This is the most common way of using only
one gradient. Set one gradient to the color or
brightness you desire, then set t he other gradient
to pure black. Thi s assures that all of the values
you set in one gradient are used exclusively to
achieve the effect.
Aver a ge—Calculates an average value between the
colors. In the example above, the resulting color
would b e 175, 225, 225. This option is goo d if you
want to mix gradient values and results in effects
that are not as brig ht as High Value.
Low Va l ue—Selects the lower color values, resulting
inalessintenselensflareandamoresubtleoverall
effect. In the example above, the resulting color
would b e 100,210,295.
Additiv e—Adds colors values together, pushing
their composite value toward pure white,
producing the brightest but mo st washed-out
effects.Additivecompositingisgoodwhenyou
want to burn effects out.
Subtractive—Subtractscolorsvaluesfromeach
other,resultinginslightlymutedandlessintense
colors.
These compositing methods may be applied to all
types of gradients, except size gradients. The type
of compositing being used for a gradient is noted
above the gradient bar.
Compositing methods are applied to every
gradient.Somegradientsarelinkedtogether,soif
you assign a specific compositing method to one,
the compositing method is automatically assigned
to the other.
Typ e s of G rad ie n ts
Rendering menu > Video Post > Video Post toolbar > Add
Image Filter Event > Choose a Lens Effects Filter from the
Filter Plug-In list. > Setup > Gradient tab
There are two different kinds of gradients in Lens
Effects, Radial and Circular. Between the two
types, you can achieve a lmost limitless effects.