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Shape Instance Operator 179

example, if you scale an object non-uniformly

using the View reference coordinate system, the

result might skew the object’s shape. Because

the skewing is the by-product of a rotational

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

shape. However, modifiers and comparable

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 XFor m f unction on the

reference object. Reset XForm is available 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 parent 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 particle system.

Procedure

Ex ample: To use t he refer ence object’ s r otationa l

and positional a nimation in the pa r ticle system:

Create an object you want to use as the particle

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 dumm y).

You can use any object as the parent, but

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

animate all instanced particles v isible in the

final animation.

5. Create a default Particle 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 Shape .

10. For sequential animation, which can be more

interesting visually, in Animation Offset

Keying, set Sync By to Particle Age or Event

Durat ion.