Method to create glowing light trails? (1 Viewer)

[mzemina]

I had a thought for a skin that used glowing light trails as part of the hover image, but I am not sure as to how to create what I am thinking of. I know you have seen this in some of the TV broadcast transitions. First NBC used it with multiple colors and now ABC is using it but only with monochromatic colors. It is like when you used those sparklers and write your name in the air, your eyes have a persistance of vision and the trails linger in your mind.

Maybe those of you that are very artistic would know what method/technique I should attempt.

Mike

 

[Smirnuff]

If I understand you correctly you'd need to create what is known as a particle system in order to pull this off properly and while they can create some truly amazing effects, they aren't particularly easy to code although there are a number of sources on the internet that could be used as a starting point. IIRC the PurpleSharp framework has classes for creating particle systems.

If you are referring to the effect present in MCE where the button appears to glow that is simply an overlay image whose alpha is adjusted over a period of time. Similarly, the flash that goes from left to right when you press a button is a combination of a fade and a stretch.

Shaders may also be another approach.

I guess its possible that you could fake the sparkle effect with a bit of artwork/graphics cleverness, and a combination of various transitions but the particle system would give you the best result.

There are people out there to whom particle systems and shaders are as easy as 2 + 2 is to me... hurry up and find MP then get coding!!!

 

[mzemina]

particle system - That is it! Thanks Smirnuff, you are the man.

I need to dig out my older 3D software and start playing around with the particle system and see what I can come up with. It will be static (unfortunately) displays I'll be incorporating in the skins - that is if it works out like I am thinking about.

Thanks again!
Mike

If I understand you correctly you'd need to create what is known as a particle system in order to pull this off properly and while they can create some truly amazing effects..., they aren't particularly easy to code although there are a fair of sources on the internet that could be used as a starting point. IIRC the PurpleSharp framework has classes for creating particle systems.

If you are referring to the effect present in MCE where the button appears to glow that is simply an overlay image whose alpha is adjusted over a period of time. Similarly, the flash that goes from left to right when you press a button is a combination of a fade and a stretch.

Shaders may also be another approach.

I guess its possible that you could fake the sparkle effect with a bit of artwork/graphics cleverness, and a combination of various transitions but the particle system would give you the best result.

 

[Smirnuff]

that is if it works out like I am thinking about

Did it?

 

[mzemina]

that is if it works out like I am thinking about

Did it?

Well... I've had plenty of ideas but not the time to carry forward to make them work - long answer.

Mike