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Table Of Contents
3D: When this checkbox is selected, the 3D emitter shapes (Box and Sphere) become
available. Because all emitter shapes can be used in 3D space, additional 3D parameters
are available for all emitter shapes when the 3D checkbox is selected: Render Particles,
Emission Latitude, and Emission Longitude. These additional parameters appear in the
Emitter Inspector and HUD.
These parameters are available for all shapes, regardless of the Arrangement setting.
Note: When the 3D checkbox is selected, particles cannot receive reflections, and the
Reflections parameter (in the Properties Inspector) is no longer available for the emitter.
Additionally, when the 3D checkbox is selected, In Global 3D (Better) must be selected
from the Render Particles pop-up menu for particles to cast shadows and to be affected
by lights.
For more information on the additional 3D controls in the HUD, see Emitter HUD
Parameters.
Emission Angle: This dial, available when the Shape pop-up menu is set to a 2D shape,
sets the direction in which particles travel. This parameter works in conjunction with the
Emission Range parameter. It is equivalent to one of the functions of the graphical emission
control in the Emitter HUD.
Note: When using an emitter shape other than a Point, such as a Line, Circle, Rectangle,
Spiral, Burst, or Wave, and Outline is chosen from the Arrangement pop-up menu, setting
the Emission Angle parameter to 180 degrees and the Emission Range parameter to
0 degrees restricts the emission of particles to the inside of the shape. Setting the Emission
Angle parameter to 0 degrees and the Emission Range parameter to 0 degrees restricts
the emission of the particles to outside of the shape.
Emission Range: A dial that restricts the area around the center of each emission point
where particles are generated, in the direction of the Emission Angle. It is equivalent to
one of the functions of the graphical emission control in the Emitter HUD.
Note: When using a Line, Circle, Rectangle, Spiral, Burst, or Wave (but not Geometry)
shape, setting the Emission Range parameter to 0 degrees keeps particles perpendicular
to the emitter when they emerge.
Render Particles: A pop-up menu that appears when the 3D checkbox is selected, enabling
you to choose between two rendering methods for the particles:
In Local 3D (Faster): The default setting, renders particles faster but does not allow for
intersections with layers in the particles group or with layers in other groups. Nor does
it allow particles to cast shadows.
In Global 3D (Better): This setting allows the particles to intersect with layers in the
emitter group and with layers in other groups. When turned on, your projects playback
performance is slowed.
704 Chapter 14 Working with Particles