spline gen

 

 

This particle generator node allows you to create particles in NodeWorks splines on 3ds max curves. .

 

 

Note: Particle generator output pins and data are available only when the particle is created. To access particles continuously, use the get particle group node.

 

 

[Inputs]

 

Enabled - Enable or disable node evaluation.

 

Particle Group - Generated particles will belong to this this group.

 

Cluster By - Each particle is automatically assigned to a cluster. There are several options how you can group particles into clusters.

 

  • Constant - All particles that this node creates are assigned to the same unique cluster group.
  • Simulation Frame - Only particles that are created on the same frame are assigned to the same unique cluster group.
  • Spline Particle - NodeWorks splines that are created from particles keep the particle ID. In such cases new particles will inherit the particle ID from spline.
  • Particle - Each particle is assigned to its own unique cluster group.

 

 

 

Splines

Splines - Select NodeWorks spline generator node that is present in the Workspace. Particles will be generated from all the splines generator has created.

 

Shapess by RegEx - You can use regex (regular expressions) to select 3ds max shapes in the scene. This is a very powerful tool to automatize the process.

 

Shapes - List of shapes that you want to use. Double click on shape name to remove it from the list or use Remove button. You can select multiple shapes.

 

 

Generate

Time Start - Emission start time. There will be no emission before this frame.

 

Time End - Emission end time. There will be no emission after this frame.

 

Generation Type - Select method to generate particles on the spline.

  • Random - Particles will be created randomly along the spline.
  • Discrete - Spline will be divided in segments defined by the Discrete Locations parameter. Count will determine number of particles for each discrete location.
  • Spacing - New particle locations will be separated by this parameter. Count will determine number of particles on each location.
  • Knots - Particles will be placed at spline knots location. If using 3ds max Line shape, the number of knots will be affected by the Spline Interpolation Steps parameter.

 

Random

Discrete

Spacing

Knots

 

 

Count - Number of particles to be generated.

 

Discrete Locations - Option available when Generation Type is set to Discrete.

 

Spacing - Distance between particles to create on each call.

 

Min Distance - Minimum particle distance from the spline.

 

Max Distance ??? Maximum particle distance from the spline.

 

 

Properties

Life Span - Particle life span in frames. Particles that are older than its lifespan will be automatically deleted.

 

Life Span Var % - Life Span variation.

 

Tangent Speed ??? Particle velocity along the spline tangent at creation location.

 

Tangent Speed Var % ??? Tangential speed variation.

 

Tangent Speed Angle Var ??? Tangential speed direction variation.

 

Normal Speed ??? Particle velocity along the spline ???normal??? at creation location.

 

Normal Speed Var % ??? Normal speed variation.

 

Normal Speed Angle Var ??? Normal speed direction variation.

 

Size - Particle size.

 

Size Var - Particle size variation.

 

Density - Particle density. Particle mass is computed from particle size and density so that bigger particles will have bigger mass.

 

Density Var % - Density variation.

 

Color From Spline - Generated particle can inherit color from the NodeWorks spline.

 

AutoSeed - Using this option will make each Spline Gen node generate different patterns even if the seed number is the same.

 

Seed - Random number generator seed. Change this value to get different pattern.

 

 

[Outputs]

 

Particle Stream - Generated particle stream.

 

Particle # - Generated particle index. It goes from to Total#-1.

 

Total # - Total number of particles that will be generated at current frame.

 

Position - Generated particle position.

 

Tangent ??? Spline tangent at particle position.