2009

significantly higher than that of the test. For a list of actions’ effective time
frames, see
Action Time Frames on page 2839.
Also, if you're testing for a specific condition that can be affected by other
actions in an event, be sure to place the test after the actions. For example, in
an event with a
Force operator on page 2946 and a Collision test on page 2960,
place the Collision test after the Force operator. This avoids the possibility of
the force pushing particles past the deflector before the software can test for
the collision, which would allow the particles to penetrate the deflector. In
general, place tests at the end of the event.
How can I tell which particles are in a certain event?
One way is to set the Type option for the
Display operator on page 2943 in each
event to a different choice. For example, the first event could use Ticks, the
second Circles, and the third Lines. This way the particles change appearance
in the viewports as they move from event to event. You can also use the
Display operator to change particle colors, to further distinguish them.
Another way is to select all particles in a certain event. Select the Particle Flow
source icon, and then go to the Modify panel > Selection rollout and click the
Event icon. You can then click an event in the Select By Event list to highlight
all of its particles in the viewports.
Why do my particles lose their material when they move to another
event?
A material is a static property of an event. It does not travel along with the
particles from event to event. A particle's material ID does, but its material
does not. If you want particles always to use the same material, define the
material in the
global event on page 7997 with a Material operator on page 2918
or a
Shape Instance operator on page 2904. Otherwise, you need to define it in
each local event.
Can I have an event receive input from multiple events?
Particle Flow lets you wire any number of tests to a single event.
I changed an operator setting, but it doesn't seem to have any effect
on the particle system.
A similar operator in the global event might be overriding your local operator.
By default, Particle Flow evaluates local operators first, and then global
operators. If a global operator affects the same property, such as speed, as a
2810 | Chapter 14 Space Warps and Particle Systems