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Offset | The position of the pattern. Default: 0, 0 |
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Count | The number of checkers along the vertical axis of the layer (the number of checkers along the horizontal axis is calculated automatically to obtain square checkers, except if Stretch has been applied.) Range: 0.5 to 200; Default: 10 |
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Stretch | Stretches the checker pattern by scaling it independently along the x and y axes. Default: 0, 0 |
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Color | The color of the checkerboard pattern (alternate checkers are transparent, revealing the original layer) Default: |
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Punch Out | When this is turned on, the color is ignored, and the checkers that would have been filled in punch holes through the layer instead. Default: off |
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Angle | The angle of the checker pattern in degrees clockwise Range: 0º to 3600º; Default: 0º |
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Screen Space | If turned off, the pattern is anchored to the layer's transform, and will move, scale and rotate with the layer. If turned on, the pattern is anchored to the screen regardless of the layer position, scale, or rotation (and the meaning of the Count property is based on the height of the composition rather than the height of the layer) Default: off |
Usage
To overlay a checkerboard pattern onto a layer, just apply this effect, set Color and Count as desired, then tune any other parameters as you like.
To punch out a checkerboard pattern of "holes" in a layer, apply this effect, turn on Punch Out, then adjust Count or other parameters as desired.
Tip: Translucent Checkers
Adjust the alpha component of the Color for partially transparent checkers, or use keyframe animation to have the checker pattern fade in or out.
Use Cases
- Simple checkerboard: Use this effect with a shape layer filled with a solid color (the layer fill becomes the other checker color).
- Luminance map: Many other effects such as Displacement Map work using a luminance map. You can use this effect to create a checker luminance map by starting with a solid color white, black, or grey shape layer and then adding white, black, or gray checkers.
- Combine two photos in a checkerboard pattern: Apply this effect to the top of two photo layers and turn on Punch Out. Adjust Angle for an interesting artistic effect.
- 3D Effect Guide: Adding the Checker effect to a layer before applying 3D effects can be helpful as a guide or reference point while positioning or animating the 3D object. Hide or remove the Checker effect when done.