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particle count of the connected particle object increases. When you go
to the start of the animation, the particle count returns to 0.
Note that if you had created the circle with a smaller Number of Sections,
there would be fewer CVs for the circle and therefore bigger gaps between
the emission points on the circles.
6 Display the Outliner (Window > Outliner).
7 In the Outliner, select particle1.
This is the particle object. A particle object is a collection of particles that
share the same attributes. You can create particle objects containing a
single particle or millions of particles. Each particle in a scene belongs to
some particle object.
The particle object’s attributes define the appearance and other
characteristics of the emitted particles. The emitter’s attributes control
the initial position, direction, quantity, and velocity of the emitted
particles.
Creating volume axis fields
Fields are forces that you use to animate the motion of particles. With a Volume
Axis field, you can move particles in various directions within the volume of
a cube, sphere, cylinder, cone, or torus. With clever use of this type of field,
you can create effects such as particles flowing around obstacles, solar flares,
explosions, tornadoes, and rocket exhaust.
In the next steps, you’ll use a volume axis field to move the particles up a
conical path. When the particles exit the top of a conical region, you’ll use
another volume axis field to give them a downward arcing motion within a
torus. The result resembles a fountain of light.
To create a cone volume axis field
1 With the particle object still selected, select Fields > Volume Axis >
.
2 Set the following Volume Axis Options and click Create:
■ Magnitude: 50
■ Volume Shape: Cone
■ Away From Axis: 0
■ Along Axis: -1
Creating volume axis fields | 479