This page will show how, in just three easy steps, you can create a really cool visual like this. The estimated time to complete the entire project is about 15 minutes.
The first step is to create an image that controls a vector field. A potential vector field is generated from an image in which red pixels push brushes outward and green pixels pull them inward; these pixels act as the field’s sources. The image PField.png shown below was created in Windows Paint in about four minutes using the airbrush. You do not need to be precise, because MCP automatically selects an optimal number of sources from your image to balance detail and performance (see the built‑in manual for more information).
The second step is to create a palette that controls the number of steps each brush will take and the color used by all brushes at each step. The image Palette.png shown below was created in Windows Paint in about three minutes. The color is always read from left to right along the middle horizontal line, which in this palette provides 700 colors and therefore 700 steps.
The third step is to set the parameters for MCP, which takes about one minute. For more details on MCP parameters, see the built‑in manual.
Then click Render or press F5, and in just seven minutes on a regular PC the image is complete.
If you want to experiment with this project, here is a ZIP file containing all the parameters and images (if you are using the basic free version of MCP, download the ZIP file with lower image resolution).
Finally, if you are curious about how the brushes interact with each other and with the vector field to generate the image above, take a look at this video. You can see this in real time in MCP by loading the Demo work folder (after unzipping it) and switching to "Animate Brushes" mode. See the built‑in manual for more details about this mode.
