Options Panel

Welcome to the new Options Panel. To bring up Options, click the Options button in the Effect palette. Inside the Options panel, there are two settings for the particle system.

Version 1.5 Note: Previously, the Options window had a lotta stuff in it. We have removed all but two parameters. The previous Options controls are now in parameter groups throughout the Particular Effect palette.

Light Emitter Name

The Light Emitter Name field works with the Emitter group and composition Lights. When an Emitter has the same name as the Options Emitter name, that Light will be used to control the location of the shadow.

Enter a Light Emitter Name in the Option field, and use that same name for the Light layer(s) in your Timeline. This will make the Light recognize the Emitter. The Emitter Type in the Emitter group also has to be set to the Light(s) option in the Emitter Type popup.

By default, this Light Name is named 'Emitter' and that is often an easy standard to use. But the Light Name can be changed to anything as long as the Light's layer name matches. You can point to multiple lights with this method, naming them 'Emitter 1', 'Emitter 2' and so on. More info on the Light Emitter page.

At left, the Options Panel uses the default 'Emitter' Light Name. In middle, a Light layer named 'Emitter'. At right, the Emitter Type is set to Light(s).

Shadowlet Name

The Shadowlet Light Name field works with the Shadowlet group and composition Lights. When a comp Light has the same name as the Options Shadowlet name, that Light will be used to control the location of the Shadowlet's shadow.

Enter a Light Name in the Option field, and use that same name for the Light layer(s) in your Timeline. This will make the Light recognize the Shadowlet.

By default, this Light Name is named 'Shadow' and that is often an easy standard to use. But the Light Name can be changed to anything as long as the Light's layer name matches. You can point to multiple lights with this method, naming them 'Shadow 1', 'Shadow 2' and so on. More info on the Shadowlet group page.

At left, the Options Panel uses the default 'Shadow' Light Name. At right, a Light layer named 'Shadow'.