let it snow on alpha channel

[Darby Edelen]

Try using a different layer for the alpha. Try auto-tracing the layer in question and then animating the resulting masks so that they grow where the snow should be piling up (along the top of the layer).

Also, something that Jerzy doesn’t do in his tutorial, but that might help you depending on the look you want, is counteracting the gravity.

You’ll notice that in his tutorial the snow is only slowed, not stopped. If you want to stop the snow where it lands then under the Persistent Property Manager select “Y Force” in the “Map Green to” field and set the Max value to a negative value. If your Gravity is 120 then set this value to -120 to completely stop the snow from its vertical fall when it hits the layer.

Here’s a sample I put together quickly. I used a Median filter (with Operate on Alpha enabled) on the Snow layer in order to get the fallen snow to ‘melt’ together more. This could’ve been done better, but I’m a busy man 🙂

Darby Edelen

[Jan-henning Naused]

Hi Darby,thank you very much, this is exactly the effect that I am imagine. If it does not strain your nerves to much, could you explain the first steps a little bit more please ? Best regards Henning

[David Bogie]

[Darby Edelen] “Here’s a sample I put together quickly. I used a Median filter (with Operate on Alpha enabled) on the Snow layer in order to get the fallen snow to ‘melt’ together more. This could’ve been done better, but I’m a busy man 🙂 “

Good lord, Darby, this is soooo cool and so simple I’ve never known what to do with the Median filter but it’s easy to see how you modified the alpha as the control for the stickiness. I can’t quite get the particles to let go but you’ve given me much to contemplate with your quick example. Thanks. Illuminating.
I am in awe, as usual.

bogiesan

[Darby Edelen]

The first thing I did was type out my text. Then I selected that text and converted it to masks (you can use auto-trace for other assets). Then I added a vertex or two at the top of each letters and animated them rising up. I pre-composed this animated mask layer and used it to block the snow.

Does that help?

Darby Edelen

[Jan-henning Naused]

Hey Darby, thank you so much for your help ! Now it works as desired. Another way I have worked out, was to switch back to “Y speed” and set the max value to about -26. The piles were growing on the edges without animating the masks.

Best regards from Hamburg

Henning

[Ana Log]

Hello.

This is exactly what I’m looking for..

Could you please put the steps for this tutorial?

thank you
Ana