3D Compositing with Action > Action: The Particle System >
Sample Particle Setups

Ten particle setups are provided in the directory /usr/discreet/<product_home>/examples. To load one of the setup files, open Action using a black frame as the front, back, and matte clips.

A brief description of each example particle setup is provided in the following table.

Setup File Name | Description
--- | ---
Bounce Example | Uses a gravity manipulator and a bouncer attached to an axis. The bouncer appears as a sphere in Camera view. The particles fall down and bounce off the bouncer.
Bounce Example 2 | Uses a gravity manipulator and two image surface bouncers.
Bounce Example 3 | Uses an Accpoint manipulator and a bouncer linked to an axis. The bouncer follows the Accpoint manipulator.
Explode Example | An example of exploding 3D text. The Geom node is hidden in Schematic view. The setup uses an Explode generator and Polygon particles. To add 3D text (Geom node), go to the Text menu, click the Text field and type the text string, then click Create.
Explode Example 2 | An example of exploding an image surface. The image surface is hidden. Media1 is applied to the generator as a texture and uses Wrap mapping mode. Replace Media 1 with an image of your choice.
FireWorks Example | Uses two linked generators. The first generator generates few particles at each frame. When these reach the end of their lifetime, the second generator is activated.
Function Example | Uses a function manipulator that increases the particles' transparency as they reach the end of their lifetime.
Function Example 2 | Uses a function manipulator with sine and cosine functions to modify the speed of the particles.
Node Example | Uses 3D text for the particles. The Geom node (the 3D text) must be named “ParticleDraw”. The generator is parented to the axis of the Geom node, and the selected particle type is Node.
Transform Example | Uses a transform manipulator.