User Manual

Size Z Scale
This control measures the degree to which the size of each particle changes according to its Z
position. The effect is to exaggerate or reduce the impact of perspective. The default value is
1.0, which provides a relatively realistic perspective effect.
Objects on the focal plane (Z = 0.0) will be actual-sized. Objects farther along Z will become
smaller. Objects closer along Z will get larger.
A value of 2.0 will exaggerate the effect dramatically, whereas a value of 0.0 will cancel the
effects of perspective entirely.
Size Over Life
This spline control determines the size of a particle throughout its lifespan. The vertical scale
represents a percentage of the value defined by the Size control, from 0 to 200%. The
horizontal scale represents a percentage of the particle’s lifespan (0 to 100%).
This graph supports all the features available to a standard spline editor. These features can be
accessed by right-clicking on the graph. It is also possible to view and edit the graph spline in
the larger Spline Editor.
Fade Controls
This simple range slider provides a mechanism for fading a particle at the start and end of its
lifetime. Increasing the Fade In value will cause the particle to fade in at the start of its life.
Decreasing the Fade Out value will cause the particle to fade out at the end of its life.
This control’s values represent a percentage of the particle’s overall life, therefore, setting the
Fade In to 0.1 would cause the particle to fade in over the first 10% of its total lifespan. For
example, a particle with a life of 100 frames would fade in from frame 0…10.
Merge Controls
This set of particle controls affects the way individual particles are merged together. The
Subtractive/Additive slider works as documented in the standard Merge node. The Burn-In
control will cause the particles to overexpose, or “blow out,” when they are combined.
None of the Merge controls will have any effect on a 3D particle system.
Particles Blur Controls
Blur Controls
This set of particle controls can be used to apply a Blur to the individual particles. Blurring can
be applied globally, by age, or by Z depth position.
None of the Blur controls will have any effect on a 3D particle system.
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