FumeFX Particle Source

 

 

The FumeFX Particle Source lets the user create any particle system within their scene to be used as a component within their FumeFX simulation.  

 

To create a Particle Source, go to the Create Command Panel, and from the Helpers menu, select FumeFX -> Particle Src. Then click and drag in any 3ds Max viewport to create this Source. When done, you will be presented with a number of options, including which particle system to use as part of the FumeFX simulation. Additionally, AFC controllers make it possible to adjust particle parameters based on particle age.

 

Note: This source type only works with particle systems. You cannot select geometry with this source type, nor can you choose forces, other helpers or non-geometry types. All of the built-in particle systems as well as cebas' ThinkingParticles 6 are all acceptable systems that work with FumeFX.

 

 

 

This rollout contains the basic parameters for your particle source.  As mentioned before, all of its controls are available in both the Create/Modify Command Panel (by selecting the Particle Source gizmo), as well as within the FumeFX UI floating dialog.

 

Active - You can turn this source on/off using this checkbox.  

 

Pick / Remove - Choose one or more particle systems that you want to use as sources within your FumeFX simulation by clicking on the Pick icon. To remove a particle system from the list, simply highlight it and hit the Remove icon.

A following dialog will show up when user tries to pick the ParticleFlow system. It enables user to pick the whole system or only a specific event.

 

 

Parameters

 

 

Icon Size - Use this to modify the size of the icon ??? the source???s symbolic representation in the viewport.

 

Seed - This value affects the amount of randomization.

 

Viewport

 

 

Enable Viewport display of parameters though the particle age: Velocity, Fuel, Oxygen, Temperature, Smoke.

 

 

 

Values are displayed in a form of circles, where the outer circle visualizes radius and the inner circle visualizes the V,F,T,S parameter relative to the radius.

 

Radius

 

 

Radius - This defines the particle radius used within the FumeFX simulation. Be aware that this value can be animated over time through the use of the AFC (Animation Flow Curve) Controller. This control not only lets you set a start and end particle radius for use within the simulation, but you can determine how the animation progresses within the AFC dialog.

 

AFC Controller - When active, use this to control the progression between the two Radius spinner values in proportion with particle age.  Refer to the AFC and Gradient Control section of this guide for more information on how to use AFC controls.

 

Var. % - This establishes maximum variation allowed for each particle's radius within the simulation.

 

PA - Currently selected Interpolation Controller. It can be used only if AFC is enabled.

 

 

Velocity Multiplier

 

 

Amount - The selected value acts as a multiplier of the particles' movement. Be aware that this value can be animated over time through the use of the AFC (Animation Flow Curve) Controller. This control not only lets you set a start and end particle velocity multiplier for use within the simulation, but you can determine how the animation progresses within the AFC dialog.

 

AFC Controller - When active, use this to control the progression between the two Amount spinner values in proportion with particle age.  Refer to the AFC and Gradient Control section of this guide for more information on how to use AFC controls.

 

Source controller - Use this source controller to create a mask that affects the velocity multiplier for your particles' effect within the FumeFX simulation. This button has a dash on it and resides beneath the Amount Spinner. Go here to learn more about Source Controllers.

 

Var % - This establishes maximum variation limits for velocity.

 

Fuel, Oxygen Temperature, Smoke and Color Groups of Controls

 

 

 

Each of these channels has same set of parameters.  These parameters work as a kind of mixing board, allowing you to set the values of the Fuel, Smoke and Temperature Channels in your source.  One notable feature of Particle Sources is that you can use an AFC (Animated Flow Curve) as a mask.  For each AFC, the X-axis represents a progression of particle age, while the Y-axis represents the amount of masking that is taking place.

 

Type - Click the Add button to choose the type of affect that the source will have on that channel. When you click on it, you will get the following pop-up menu:

 

 

 

Channel is Disabled - The source won???t change that channel.

Add Values to the Voxel - The source adds values to voxel (v + value = amount).

Set Values in the Voxel - The source sets the voxel at a value (v = amount).

 

Amount - This is the amount that is set or added to each voxel. Be aware that this value can be animated over time through the use of the AFC (Animation Flow Curve) Controller. This control not only lets you set a start and end particle velocity multiplier for use within the simulation, but you can determine how the animation progresses within the AFC dialog.

 

AFC Controller - Use this to control the channel???s progression in proportion with particle age.  Refer to the AFC and Gradient Control section of this reference for more information.

 

Source controller - Use this source controller to create masks that affects the various aspects of your particles' effect within the FumeFX simulation. This button has a dash on it and resides beneath the Amount Spinner. Go here to learn more about Source Controllers.