2009

at the time of birth, but with a random offset of frames, based on the value
in the Frame Offset spinner.
Frame Offset Specifies an offset value from the current timing of the source
object.
Mat'l Mapping and Source group
Specifies how a mapped material affects the particles, and lets you specify the
source of the material assigned to the particles. A detailed description of how
materials affect particles is in the topic
Using Mapped Materials with Particle
Systems
on page 3010.
Time Specifies the number of frames from the birth of the particle that it takes
to complete one mapping of the particle.
Distance Specifies the distance, in units, from the birth of the particle that it
takes to complete one mapping of the particle.
NOTE Tetra particles are an exception. They always have their own local mapping
from head to tail, as described in the following section.
Get Material From Updates the material carried by the particle system, using
the source specified by the option buttons below this button.
IMPORTANT Remember to click Get Material From whenever you choose a
different source option button, or whenever you assign a new material to the
specified source. Only a single material (or multi/sub-object material) is carried by
the particle-system object at any time. Thus, when you change sources, you actually
overwrite the currently assigned material with an instance of the source material.
Icon The particles use the material currently assigned to the particle system
icon.
NOTE The Time and Distance options are available only when you choose this
option.
Picked Emitter The particles use the material assigned to the distribution
object.
Instanced Geometry The particles use the material assigned to the instanced
geometry. This option is available only when you choose Instanced Geometry
in the Particle Types group.
3062 | Chapter 14 Space Warps and Particle Systems