2009

Particles with a diffuse-mapped material
When you choose Icon, the mapping coordinates of the material are applied
across the V (vertical) axis, from V=0 (the bottom edge of the map) to V=1
(the top edge of the map). The bottom edge of the map is applied at the birth
of the particle, and the top edge at either the death of the particle (if Time is
on) or the distance of the particle at its death (if Distance is on).
The Time spinner specifies the number of frames from birth that it takes to
complete one mapping of a particle. Thus, if set to 15, the particle uses the
bottom edge of the map at its birth, and moves through to the top edge of
the map at frame 15.
The Distance spinner specifies the distance, in units, from birth that it takes
to complete one mapping of a particle. Thus, if set to 50, as the particle moves
along the normal vector, it displays the bottom edge of the map at birth, and
the top edge at 50 units along the normal vector.
The one exception to this is when you use the Tetra particle type. In this case,
each particle is always constantly mapped with V=0 at the head and V=1 at
the tail.
When you choose Picked Emitter, the particles take on the color of the object
at the point at which they're created. If the mapped surface is yellow where
the particle emerges, then the particle is yellow.
Again, Tetra particles are an exception and the distribution-object material is
mapped from head to tail.
Non-Event-Driven Particle Systems | 3011