Morph

Create an effect morphs shapes (polygons/ellipses/lines) on the display element(s).

1: Basics
2: Free Form Mode
3: Pattern Mode
4: Time Based Mode

1 - Basics

Overview

Create an effect morphs shapes (polygons/ellipses/lines) on the display element(s). This effect works the best on a matrix or mega-tree with a large pixel count. This effect can be used as a standalone effect but also can be used as a layering mask along with other effects.

String Setup

Positioning - Determines how the target elements are treated. Either as individual strings or by their actual location in the display preview. Locations is often referred to as whole house, but it can be any form of multiple props. Generally you want Strings when applying to one prop and locations if the target is multiple props.
Orientation - Controls the orientation of the display area (matrix).

Polygon Configuration

Polygon Type - Determines the mode of the morph effect.
- Pattern - This mode was inspired by other sequencers. This mode is restricted to using four point polygons, ellipses or lines. This mode includes settings that allow the user to repeat a shape (polygon/ellipse/line) several times across the display element. Repeating the shape establishes a repeating pattern. _
- Free Form - This mode allows the user to draw an unlimited number of shapes (polygons/ellipses/lines) on the display element. There is no limit to the number of polygon points used. _
- Time Based - This mode allows the user to draw a shape (polyon/ellipse/line) and then morph it over the duration of the effect. The only restriction on the number of polygon points is that all polygon frames must have the same number of points. In this mode the user creates frames and positions them within the time scale of the effect. The user is in control of how the shape moves or changes shape by creating the frame snapshots.
Both the Free Form and Time Based modes are candidates to be used with layering and other effects to create unique composite effects.

Each mode of the morph effect has a dedicated help page:
Fill Type - Determines how the shape (polygon/ellipse/line) is filled (Wipe, Solid, Outline).
Margin - By default the polygon editor associated with the Morph effect only allows the user to draw on the display element. The Margin defaults to zero (percent). By increasing the Margin a larger virtual display element is created for the purposes of drawing shapes. When a margin is in use the actual display element is outlined in red. When the effect is rendered only the portion of shapes that overlap the red outline will be displayed. The margin setting is especially useful for Time Based Mode. It can be used to animate a shape that enter and exits the display element smoothly. The margin is a percentage of the display element width and height (0 - 100%).

Video Tutorial

2 - Free Form Mode

Overview

The free form mode of the morph effect allows the user to draw an unlimited number of shapes (polygons/ellipses/lines) in the polygon editor. Each shape can be configured separately from the Morph effect settings. Polygons in this mode can have an unlimited number of points, however the wipe fill type is limited to four points. Solid polygons are useful in layering operations when combined with other effects.

Fill Type - Determines how the shape (polygon/ellipse/line) is filled (Wipe, Solid, or Outline).
- Wipe - This fill type performs a wipe effect across the shape for the duration of the effect. The wipe is colored with head and tail color gradient.
- Solid - This fill type fills the shape using the Polygon Color gradient. This fill type is useful for when using the shape as a layering mask.
- Outline - This fill type outlines the shape using the Polygon Color gradient.

Solid or Outlined Shapes

Polygon Color - Determines the color of the shape (polygon/ellipse/line) for the duration of the effect.
Polygon Intensity - Controls the brightness of the shape for the duration of the effect.
Label – This is a user editable text field that helps to identify which shape are which in the Morph effect collection of polygons. These labels are visible in both the Morph effect settings and in the Polygon Editor.

Wipe Shapes

Head Length – Determines the length of the head wipe in pixels.
Head Duration – Determines the percentage of the effect duration it takes the wipe head to travel across the shape (polygon/ellipse.line).
Acceleration – Determines the acceleration of the shape’s (polygon/ellipse/line) wipe. The acceleration can be either increasing or decreasing (deceleration).
Head Color – Determines the wipe head color over the duration of the effect.
Head Intensity – Controls the brightness of the head wipe over the duration of the effect.
Tail Color – Determines the wipe tail color over the duration of the effect.
Tail Intensity – Controls the brightness of the tail wipe over the duration of the effect.
Start Offset – Determines when the wipe starts. This offset is the percentage of the effect’s total duration to wait before starting the wipe.
Label – This is a user editable text field that helps to identify which shape are which in the Morph effect collection of polygons. These labels are visible in both the Morph effect settings and in the Polygon Editor.

3 - Pattern Mode

Overview

The pattern mode of the morph effect assists the user in drawing repeated shapes on a display element. In this mode the user draws one shape using the Polygon Editor. Then in the Morph Effect settings configures how the shape should be repeated. The user is able to determine in what direction to repeat the shape and how many times to repeat it.

This mode can also be used to seed the Free Form mode. The user can create a repeating pattern of shapes and switch the effect to Free Form mode and the shapes will be retained. Once in Free Form mode the user can configure settings on each of the shapes individually.

Polygon Configuration

Fill Type - Determines how the shape (polygon/ellipse/line) is filled (Wipe, Solid, or Outline).
- Wipe - This fill type performs a wipe effect across the shape for the duration of the effect. The wipe is colored with head and tail color gradient.
- Solid - This fill type fills the shape using the Polygon Color gradient. This fill type is useful for when using the shape as a layering mask.
- Outline - This fill type outlines the shape using the Polygon Color gradient.
Edit Polygons - Select this button to display the polygon editor to draw polygons, ellipses and lines on the display element.

Pattern Configuration

Repeat Count – Determines how many times to repeat the shape (polygon/ellipse/line).
Repeat Direction – Determines the direction of the repeating pattern of shapes (polygons/ellipses/lines).
Repeat Skip – Determines the spacing in-between the repeating shapes (polygons/ellipses/lines).
Stagger – Determines if the start time of the wipe is staggered for the repeating polygons/ellipses/lines.

Wipe Configuration

Head Length – Determines the length of the head wipe in pixels.
Head Duration – Determines the percentage of the effect duration it takes the wipe head to travel across the shape (polygon/ellipse.line).
Head Color – Determines the wipe head color over the duration of the effect.
Head Intensity – Controls the brightness of the head wipe over the duration of the effect.
Tail Color – Determines the wipe tail color over the duration of the effect.
Tail Intensity – Controls the brightness of the tail wipe over the duration of the effect.
Acceleration – Determines the acceleration of the shape’s (polygon/ellipse/line) wipe. The acceleration can be either increasing or decreasing (deceleration).

4 - Time Based Mode

Overview

The time based mode of the morph effect allows the user to draw a shape and then morph that shape during the effect. The user is required to draw at least two snapshots of the shape. These two shapes become the start shape and the end shape. The effect will linearly move the points on the shape between the snap shots. This mode of the effect can be used to animate a shape across the display element. This mode can also be used to change the shape’s appearance. Make the shape bigger, smaller or changes it appearance. This mode of the effect can also be useful for layering operations.

Mode Restrictions:

The same shape type (polygon, ellipse, line) must be used for the entire effect.
When morphing polygons the number of points that make up the polygon must be the same across all snap shots.

Polygon Configuration

Polygon Color – Determines the color of the shape (polygon/ellipse/line) for the duration of the effect.
Polygon Intensity – Controls the brightness of the shape for the duration of the effect.
Fill Polygon – Determines if the Fill Type of the polygon (Solid or Outline).