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Plug-in effects
Plug-in effects are what can make your still or animated title extra special. In COOL 3D, you
can give objects a unique backdrop by applying a variety of Background effects under the
Scene category. You can also create astonishing 3D text titles with Text Effects and Bevel,
make objects move in special patterns with Object Effects, enhance a whole scene using
Particle Effects, and give your titles a unique flair with Global Effects.
The various categories are located in the
EasyPalette file directory. Click a category
or plug-in name to view and apply the presets
that come with it for instant results. If you
have a specific effect you want to achieve, try
applying different presets, and see how the
attributes change in the Attribute Panel. This
gives you a better idea of how the variables
affect the object.
Key frames and plug-ins
Most plug-in effects have a special red Control Line that appears on the Timeline Control in
the Animation Toolbar and Key Frame Window if in the Timeline mode. This is a special
feature that lets you move the first and last frames of the timeline, so that you can determine
exactly when the plug-in effect is applied within the animation sequence. To adjust the length of
the Control Line, click and drag on either end until you have reached the desired length.
Control Line in
Animation Toolbar
The example (right) shows the Control Line
of the FreeForm plug-in in the Key Frame
Window. This means the plug-in is applied
from frames 5 to 20.