Studio Artist Quick Reference Guide, Part 3

MARCH 05, 2003
Studio Artist Quick Reference Guide, Part 3
A guide to parameter settings for the Studio Artist 2.0 Paint Synthesizer
by David Nagel

This project is an ongoing compendium to Synthetik Studio Artist 2.0. It's an attempt to place into simple terms every single feature available within Studio Artist, a painting and rotoscoping application for the Macintosh. This is information that is not available elsewhere, and new information will be added to it regularly.

This week we incorporate another set of Parameters from the Studio Artist Paint Synthesizer: MultiPen Mode. We also include our previous entries for Pen Mode and Time Particles, for easy access. We will continue to make incremental updates to this guide until all of the parameters are covered, at which point it will be made available in a more accessible format. In the meantime, the parameters are being presented in the order in which they appear in Studio Artist's Paint Synthesizer. Our thanks to John Dalton, the author of Synthetik Studio Artist, for his help with some of the trickier features. You can find more information about Studio Artist at http://www.synthetik.com.[an error occurred while processing this directive]Contents
1. Pen Mode
2. MultiPen Mode
3. Time Particles

Synthetik Studio Artist 2.0 Quick Reference Guide Parameter: Pen Mode
Settingor Grouping	Options	Effect	Affected by	Examples
AutodrawModes		Group of settingsfor all Autodraw pens.	The modeselected from drawing, i.e. Autodraw Interactive, Autodraw One Click,etc.	General"Pen Mode" tutorial with visual examples
Scan Spacing	Numeric value	Determines the amount of spacing in between individual scans when drawingstrokes with a mouse or pen in one of the Autodrw modes.
Stroke Update		Involved Autodraw Interactive patches that use the undo buffer ("UndoImage" in the Paint Fill Setup parameter). This usually has no effect onthe look of a stroke.	Although the undo buffer theoretically affects all undo options, theonly obvious visual difference occurs when using one of the "Undo Image"options in the Paint Filll Setup parameter.
	Each SubPath	Updates the undo buffer for each subpath.
	MouseUp	Updates the undo buffer on mouseup.

ParticlePen Mode		Settings specificto the Particle Pen Mode.	Only ineffect when Particle Pen is selected in the Mode option pull-downmenu located at the top of the Canvas window.	Tutorialwith QuickTime and image examples
# Particle	Numeric value	Determines the number of particles in effect on the canvas when drawingwith a Particle Pen.
Action Reset		Determines how particles behave when drawn using the automatic Actionbutton.	Only in effect when Action button is clicked.
	None	Particles behave normally.
	New Start Point	Particles draw themselves as individual dots on the canvas with a heightand width determined in the Brush Source parameter.

RegionDraw Mode		Settings specificto the Region Draw Mode.	Only in effect whenRegion Draw is selected in the Mode pull-down menu at the top of theCanvas window.	Visualexamples and explanations of each individual option can be found here.
RegionSpacing	Numeric	Determines the amountof space in between each fill stroke in the selected region.	Some Fill Types donot use spacing.
FillType		Determines thestroke style of the region being filled, i.e., cross hatching,circles, straight lines, etc. All examples below use a Region Spacingof 15.
	Ellipse
	Rect Hatch 1
	Ellipse Hatch
	Ellipse CircleFill
	Ellipse Spoke Fill
	Ellipse Spiral Fill
	Rect Hatch 2
	Ellipse Hatch Dots
	Ellipse Hatch SmallCircle
	Rect Hatch 45
	Rect Outline
	Rect Circle Fill
	Triangle Outline
	Triangle SpokeFill
	Ellipse Spoke Fill1
	Line
	Ellipse Hatch FixedSmall Circle
	Ellipse Hatch Marks
	Ellipse CrossHatchMarks
	Crossline

Synthetik Studio Artist 2.0 Quick Reference Guide Parameter: MultiPen Mode
Setting or Grouping	Options	Effect	Affected by	Examples
MultiPen Mode		Creates additional brush nibs for individual strokes.	Presets must be set to "Interactive MultiPen" in the mode setting menu above the canvas in order for any MultiPen effects to work.	General "MultiPen Mode" tutorial with visual examples of all of the parameters discussed in this section.

Line Track	On/Off	When set to "On," Line Track ensures continuity within a stroke by filling in a stroke completely, regardless of spacing.

Config	1D Random	Sets the arrangement of multiple nibs to a 1D random configuration.
	2D Box Random	Sets the arrangement of multiple nibs to a 2D random configuration with a somewhat 3D appearance.
	1D Equal Space	Sets the arrangement of multiple nibs to a 1D configuration with nibs arranged with uniform spacing.
	2D Box 1D Space, 1D Random	Sets the arrangement of multiple nibs to a 2D configuration combined with 1D random spacing.

AngleTrack		Determines the angle of the various COnfig settings described above.
	Fixed	Regardless of the direction of the stroke, the angle of the nib configuration remains fixed.
	Path Orient	Interactively adjusts the angle of the nibs according to the direction of the stroke.
	Tilt Orient	Interactively adjusts the angle of the nibs according to the tilt of the pen when using a Wacom tablet that supports tilt, such as the Intuos and Intuos2.
	Source Orient	Adjusts the angle of the nibs based on the orientation of the source image. (Orientation is a characteristic of an image that can be seen by selecting "Source Orient" from the background pull-down menu above the Canvas window.)

SpreadMod		Allows the user to set parameters for adjusting the spread (spacing) of the MultiPen nibs.	This effect is dependent upon the Spread Mod % (below) being set higher than zero. The actual spread value (below) also affects the Spread Mod parameter.
	None	Spread of the nibs remains static
	Pressure	Increased pen pressure causes the individual nibs to move closer to one another.
	Inv Pressure	Increased pen pressure causes nibs to move farther away from one another.
	TiltOrient PushPull	Uses Tilt Orient and PushPull (left-right stroke direction) to adjust the spread of the nibs.

# Nib	Numeric	Determines the number of nibs to be used in a MultiPen.
Spread	Numeric	Determines the spread, or distance, between individual nibs. (Note the the slider goes only to 60, though higher values can be added manually.)
Angle Offset	Numeric	Determines the start angle of the arrangement of multiple nibs. The numeric value is in degree units.
Spread Mod %	Numeric	Determines the extent (as a percentage) to which the SpreadMod (above) affects the spread of the multiple nibs. (Note that values higher than 100 percent can be entered to create twisting effects.)	Depends upon a SpreadMod (see above) being assigned to a value other than "None."
Weave Mod %	Numeric	Determines the extent to which the Weave Type (below) affects the multiple nibs. This value is a percentage. Values higher than 100 percent can be entered to create tighter weaves.	Depends upon a Weave Type (below) being set to something other than "None."
Slop Amt	Numeric	Creates a seemingly random effect for multiple pen strokes. The higher the value, the more "sloppy," or irregular, the stroke becomes.

Config Mod		Sets up parameters for altering the configuration ("Config") of the MultiPen interactively.
	None	Has no effect.
	Tilt	Uses a pen's tilt (on input devices that support tilt) to alter the configuration.
	Inv Tilt	Uses a pen's tilt (on input devices that support tilt) inversely to alter the configuration.
	Pressure	Uses a pen's tilt pressure to alter the configuration.
	Inv Pressure	Uses a pen's tilt pressure inversely to alter the configuration.
	TiltOrient PushPull	Uses tilt plus PushPull (left-right strokes) to alter the configuration.

Weave Type		If a Weave Type is selected, it causes the nibs in a MultiPen to approach or cross one another according to patterns described below	Requires a Weave Mod % value higher than 0.
	None	The stroke has no weave.
	Modulo	Creates a modulo weave pattern consisting of vertical and diagonal lines.
	Modulo1	A modulo variation.
	Modulo2	Another modulo variation
	Reflect	Creates a reflection weave consisting only of diagonal (criss-cross) lines.
	Reflect1	A variation on the Reflect setting.
	Reflect2	Another variation on the Reflect Setting.

Synthetik Studio Artist 2.0 Quick Reference Guide Parameter: Time Particles
Setting or Grouping	Options	Effect	Affected by	Examples
Time Particles	On/Off	Enables/Disables the Time Particles feature.		Tutorial 1 Tutorial 2

Spacing	Numeric value (0-999)	Numeric values affect the speed of a particle's motion. (Higher is faster.)

Boundary		Literally the edges of the canvas. Options determine how particles interact with the canvas boundary when in motion.		Tutorial page with QuickTime examples
	Ignore	Ignores the boundary.	Time Particles: Path Diverge
	Terminate	Terminates a particle when it reaches the boundary.		QuickTime
	Rebirth	Causes particles to be reborn at a pre-determined location of the canvas after hitting the boundary.		QuickTime
	Tiling	Creates an Asteroids-like effect, with particles reappearing on the opposite side of the canvas after they reach the boundary.		QuickTime
	Elastic	Causes particles to bounce off the edges of the canvas.		QuickTime

Path Diverge		Sets the conditions for a particle to diverge from its normal path.		Tutorial page with QuickTime example
	Numeric	The degree to which the path diverges when it meets the conditions set by the other options.
	None	Path does not diverge from its normal angle.
	Always	Path always diverges from its normal angle.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge: Numeric value 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Texture	Path diverges based on the texture of the source image (sometimes similar to Orient).	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge: Numeric value 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Orient	Path diverges based on the orientation of the image (sometimes similar to Texture).	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge: Numeric value 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Color	Path diverges based on the color of the source image at the particle's relative position.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge: Numeric value 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc	QuickTime
	Not White	Path diverges based on areas of the source image that are not white.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge: Numeric value 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Boundary	Path diverges at the boundary of the image.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge: Numeric value 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Blanking	Path diverges based on the blanking in the image.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge: Numeric value 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc

Path Type		Sets the general shape of the path that the particles will follow as they move around the canvas.		Tutorial with QuickTime examples
	Line	A straight line.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Curved	A curved shape.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Circle	A circular shape.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Spiral	A spiral path.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Ellipse	An elliptical path.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Spiral Ellipse	An elliptical, spiral path.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Triangle	A triangular path.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	2Stroke Line	Similar to regular Line, but with sudden, hairpin turns.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc

Path Angle		Determines the basic direction of the path of motion for the particles.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc	Tutorial with QuickTime examples
	Orient	Adjusts the angle based on the orientation of the image (sometimes similar to Texture and Lum).	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Texture	Adjusts the angle based on the texture of the source image (sometimes similar to Orient and Lum).	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Lum	Sets the path angle based on the luminence of the image (sometimes similar to Orient and Texture).	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Uniform Random	Sends particles off in random directions.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Fixed	Moves particles in fixed direction (right/horizontal by default, adjustable with the Angle Offset parameter).	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Polar	Moved particles out from center of image.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Fixed Hatch	Moved particles in a cross-hatch pattern, some horizontal, some vertical.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Fixed Hatch 1	Alternate version of previous option.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Fixed Orient Hatch	Creates a hatch pattern modified by the orientation of the image.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Fixed Orient Hatch 1	Alternate version of previous option.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Lum Max Follow	Sends particles toward bright areas in the source image.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Lum Min Follow	Sends particles toward darker areas of the source image.	1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc
	Autodraw Polar		1. Time Particles: Path Diverge 2. Time Particles: Angle Mult 3. Time Particles: Angle Slew 4. Time Particles: Angle Offset 5. Time Particles: Angle Inc

Angle Mult	Numeric	Multiplies the angle of the path by the given value whenever the angle is calculated. Number is a percentage.	1. Time Particles: Angle Slew 2. Time Particles: Angle Offset 3. Time Particles: Angle Inc

Angle Offset	Numeric	Determines the starting angle for the path. Value is in degrees clockwise, with 0/360 representing horizontal movement to the right.	1. Time Particles: Angle Mult 2. Time Particles: Angle Slew 3. Time Particles: Angle Inc

Angle Slew	Numeric	A percentage value affecting the calculation of the angle of the path.	1. Time Particles: Angle Mult 2. Time Particles: Angle Offset 3. Time Particles: Angle Inc

Angle Inc	Numeric	Angle increment detrermines the relative number of steps between the calculation of a path angle. Higher values lead to smoother paths.

Shape Track		Determines how and whether the shape of each particle is tracked (or maintained) over the course of the animation.	Works with Autodraw presets only	Tutorial page with QuickTime examples
	None	No shape tracking
	Initial	Maintains the starting shape of each individual particle. (However, displacement and some random elementscan't be tracked.)
	Tween	Morphthe shapes of the particles between their initial state and subsequent states, providing a smooth transition for varying shapes.

Contact the author: Dave Nagel is the producer of Creative Mac and Digital Media Designer; host of several World Wide User Groups, including Synthetik Studio Artist, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Adobe LiveMotion, Creative Mac and Digital Media Designer; and executive producer of the Digital Media Net family of publications. You can reach him at dnagel@digitalmedianet.com.

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