Page 495 - ProShow Producer Manual

495

The target setting is always modified by the total amount of all the actions
combined. In this example, it would be +12.

Since a new modifier with no actions always defaults to zero, the first action
must be either addition or subtraction, since multiplying or dividing zero
wouldn’t produce any usable results. This limitation only applies to the first
action in the list.

When you get started with a new action, you always start by deciding how it
will change the value. Do you want it to add to the value? Do you want to
multiply the value to scale the result? For the most part, you will get started
with Add actions, as they’re the easiest to work with.

Variable Amounts for Actions
Once you have chosen what type of action you want to use, you can begin
to get the variable set up. This amount determines how much is added,
subtracted, multiplied or divided.

Note: it’s important to recognize that the real use of variable amounts come
from the fact that values are changing with keyframes or other modifiers. If
the values don’t change over time then they’re constants. For example, if
you simply add 5 to the zoom level of a layer, the effect won’t be very
exciting. However, if the layer is moving, and you modify the zoom level by
the position, the layer will zoom as it moves. When you start using modifiers
to link different settings that change over time, the power of modifiers is
much more obvious.

You can choose between three different types of variables.

• Constant Amount this variable is the same as the constant we
discussed at the beginning of the chapter. It applies the same
value, based on the action type, for the whole slide or a single
keyframe. If you enter 5 for the value and choose Add as your
action type, it will add a flat value of 5 to the modifier. These are
the simplest forms of action, and provide very limited benefit
unless they’re used to offset another action by a constant amount.
They are helpful for understanding how actions work, though,
because they don’t change over time.