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Current Path group
Lets you choose the path for the particles, and specify the range of influence
of the Space Warp.
Object Displays the name of the currently assigned path.
Pick Shape Object Click this, and then click a shape in the scene to select it
as a path. You can use any shape object as a path; if you select a multiple-spline
shape, only one the lowest-number spline is used. You can also use NURBS
curves as paths.
Unlimited Range When off, the range of influence of the space warp is limited
to the value set in the Distance spinner. When on, the space warp influences
all bound particles in the scene, regardless of their distance from the path
object.
Range Specifies the range of influence when Unlimited Range is off. This is
the distance between the path object and the particle system. The position of
the Path Follow space warp's icon is ignored.
Motion Timing group
These controls affect how long particles are influenced by Path Follow.
Start Frame The frame at which Path Follow begins to influence the particles.
Travel Time The time each particle takes to traverse the path.
Variation The amount by which each particle's travel time can vary.
Last Frame The frame at which Path Follow releases the particles and no
longer influences them.
Particle Motion group
The controls in this area determine the motion of particles.
Along Offset Splines The distance between the particle system and the path
alter the effect of the particle motion. If the first vertex of the spline is at the
birthplace of the particle, the particle follows the spline path. If you move the
path away from the particle system, the particles are affected by the offset.
Along Parallel Splines Particles follow a copy of the selected path, parallel
to the particle system. In this mode, the position of the path relative to the
particle system does not matter. The orientation of the path, however, affects
the particle stream.
2720 | Chapter 14 Space Warps and Particle Systems