2009

NOTE When using By Script Vector to target absolute positions, such as vertex
locations, be sure to set Target to Icon. If you set it to Mesh, the positions
specified by the script will be relative to the position of the mesh object. This
latter option is useful for placing scripted targets on the surface of a moving
object.
Object With multiple mesh targets, lets you specify how the software should
choose among them. Available only when targeting more than one object.
■ Random For each particle, the software chooses a target object at random.
■ Closest Pivot For each particle, the software chooses as its target the
object whose pivot is nearest to the particle.
■ Closest Surface For each particle, the software chooses as its target the
object whose surface is nearest to the particle.
■ Least Deviation For each particle, the software chooses as its target the
object that requires the least change in its current direction (or resteering)
to reach.
■ By Script Integer For each particle, the choice of a targeted object is
defined by a script operator that sets an index. This index corresponds to
a target-object entry position in the target list. See
Script Operator Example
on page 2972.
Lock On Target Object When on, the software calculates each particle's target
object once: when the particle enters the event. Thereafter, the particle is
“locked on” to its target object. When off, the software can continually
recalculate the target object for each particle. Available only when multiple
target objects are designated.
For example, if you set particles to target the closest surface, due to the target
animation and particle movement, the definition of the closest surface is
constantly changing. Thus the particle may change the target object due to
the circumstances.
NOTE Each time Find Target sets a target object, it “locks on” to a specific point
on that object. This point can change only if the target object changes. Thus, with
a single target object, the target point always remains constant relative to the target
object. That is, if the target object or its surface is animated, and Follow Target
Animation or Animated Shape is on, the absolute coordinates of the target point
may change.
Particle Flow | 2979