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Shape Instance Operator 175

example, if you scale an objec t non-uniformly

using the View reference coordinate system, the

result might skew the object’s sh ape. Because

the skewing is the by-product of a rotational

transform, it wouldn’t be reflected in the particles’

shape. However, modifiers and co mparable

functions that contain transformations applied to

the reference object are reflected in the instanced

particles. For example, if you want particles to

use rotational transforms applied to the reference

object, use the Reset XForm function on the

reference object. Reset XForm is a vailable from

the Utilities panel.

Tip: Particle Flow

can

,however,userotational

and positional animation applied to descendant

objects in a hierarchy, when you use the entire

hierarchy as a single particle. To do this, create a

hierarchy, animate the descendant objects, and

then designate the p arent as the reference object.

DonotturnonSeparateParticlesFor>Object

And Children. You ’ll find a procedure illustrating

this, below.

When using an animated reference object, it is

recommended that you hide the reference object

after instancing it in the par ticle system.

Procedure

Ex ample: To use the r eference obj ect’s rota tiona l

and positional animation in the par ticle system:

Create an object you want to use as the p article

shape, such as a teapot, and a Dummy helper

object.

2. Animate the teapot using the Move and Rotate

tools.

3. Use the Align tool to center the teapot to

the dummy.

This step isn’t necessary, but it can help to

obtain more consistent results.

4. Link the teapot as a child of the dummy

(drag from the teapot to the dummy).

You can use any object as the parent, but

using a dummy, w h ich doesn’t render, lets you

animate al l instanced particles visible in the

final animation.

5. Create a default Part icle Flow system.

6. In Particle View, delete the Rotation operator.

7. ReplacetheShapeoperatorwithaShape

Instance operator.

8. In the Shape operator parameters, designate the

dummy as the Particle Geometry Object.

9. Tu r n on Ani mated Sh ape.

10. For sequential animation, which can be more

interesting visually, in Animation Offset

Keying, set Sync By to Particle Age or Event

Durat ion.