Particle Emitter
This is an experimental feature. To enable, check Enable Experimental Features in Preferences. Experimental features are only available as part of a Professional licence.
Intro
Emit Particles from a Point, Shape or Path.
UI
- Transform
- Emitter
Custom Color - A representation of the Emitter is drawn in the Viewport – when Custom Color is checked it will been drawn using the value set in Color. When unchecked the Label Color is used (this is the color used for the row in the Scene Window).
Color - Set a Custom Color for the Emitter's Viewport draw.
Emitter Shape - Select a shape to emit from:
- Point - Emit Particles from a point.
- Circle - Emit Particles from within a circle.
- Square - Emit Particles from within a square.
- Input Shape - Emit Particles from within a Shape.
- Input Shape Perimeter - Emit Particles from a Shape's Path.
Input Shape - Connect a Shape to emit Particles from.
Size - Set the width and height of the Circle or Square Emitter Shape.
Use Single Position - When unchecked, Particles will emit from a random position within the Input Shape or along its Path 'per Particle'. When checked, the positions are set 'per frame' so where 20 Particles will emit within 1 frame, each Particle will emit from the same position. This can be useful to create an explosion type effect.
Maximum Particles - The maximum number of Particles emitted.
Emitter Type - Determine whether Particles are emitted over Time or Distance:
- Time - Emit Particles on every frame (or sub-frame).
- Distance - Emit Particles whenever the Emitter's position changes.
Particles per Pixel - When Emitter Type is set to Distance, set how many Particles will be emitted for every pixel the Emitter moves.
Rate - When Emitter Type is set to Time, set the number of Particles emitted per second.
Duration - Define the period of time Particles will be emitted for.
Interval - Define a time (in seconds) the Emitter will pause for before starting the next emission cycle. A Duration of 2 and an Interval of 1, will result in 'bursts' of Particles emitting for 2 seconds and then pausing for 1 second before repeating the cycle.
Probability - When using emission cycles, set the probability of Particles emitting during the Duration time. This can be used to create a less uniform feel to each burst.
Direction Type - Determine the direction Particles will emit in:
- Angle - Emit Particles along the angle set by the Initial Direction.
- Inwards - Emit Particles along the normals that face towards the inside of the Emitter Shape's Path.
- Outwards - Emit Particles along the normals that face towards the outside of the Emitter Shape's Path.
Initial Direction - Set an angle for the Particles to emit along. Behaviours (e.g. Random) can be connected to set the angle on a 'per Particle' basis.
Initial Speed - Set a speed to assign to the Particles as they are emitted. Behaviours (e.g. Random) can be connected to set the speed on a 'per Particle' basis.
Perimeter Margin - When the Emitter Shape is set to Input Shape Perimeter, expand the width of the Path used for emission. For example, this can be used to create a ring of Particles from an Ellipse Shape.
Use Path Normals - When the Emitter Shape is set to Input Shape Perimeter, emit Particles along the Input Shape's normals.
Normal Angle - When the Emitter Shape is set to Input Shape Perimeter, offset the direction the Particles emit in from the Path's normals.
Use Emitter Velocity -
Emitter Velocity Strength -
Override Lifespan - When checked, the value in Lifespan will override the Particle Shape's Lifespan. This can be useful when more than one Emitter is connected to a Particle Shape.
Lifespan - Override the Particle Shape's Lifespan with this value.
Time - This attribute is connected to the Composition's Time to animate the Particles on each frame. The connection can be replaced with keyframes or another Behaviour if required.
Seed - Set the random seed used to position Particles within the Emitter Shape.