Getting Started with Models and Preset Effects

 
 
 

Models and preset effects are two of the easiest and best ways to get started with ICE particles. The models and preset effects shown here all provide you with a starting point for creating your own effect, or for just noodling around and getting familiar with ICE.

NoteTo see videos on this topic, check out the Softimage YouTube Learning Channel.

Loading the Models

Similar to sample scenes, you can load a model that contains all the objects, ICE trees, and shaders that you need to create an effect.

  1. Choose one of the Particles Model Library commands from the ICE toolbar:

    • See Lagoa Basics for information about the models in the Lagoa group.

    • See ICE Particle Strands for information about the models in the Strands group.

      The Particle Spawning Fireworks model loads a fireworks simulation that shoots out spawned particles at random times and with random colors.

  2. Click the play button in the playback controls below the timeline to see the particles being emitted.

  3. Select the point cloud and press Alt+9 to open up its ICE Tree view, where you can inspect and edit the ICE nodes as you like.

    You may need to click the Update icon on the ICE Tree view's toolbar to refresh the view for the selected point cloud.

Creating Preset Effects

Another way to get started with ICE particles it to create an emission of a certain type using the commands on the Particles Create menu on the ICE toolbar.

  1. Select one or more objects to be particle emitters.

    An emitter can be any type of object that has geometry: a polygon mesh, NURBS surface, a curve, or a combination of these object types.

  2. Choose one of these Particles Create commands from the ICE toolbar: Basic Fire, Bubbles, Cigarette Smoke, or Falling Leaves.

    When you do this, two things happen:

    • A point cloud is created. You can give this a new name, if you like.

    • An ICE tree for that point cloud is created.

  3. Click the play button in the playback controls below the timeline to see the particles being emitted.

  4. Select the point cloud and press Alt+9 to open the ICE Tree view where you can inspect and edit the ICE tree nodes as you like.

    You may need to click the Update icon on the ICE Tree view's toolbar to refresh the view for the selected point cloud.

  5. Each of these presets also has a shader tree set up for it so that it can be rendered. Select the point cloud and press 7 to open the Render Tree view where you can inspect and edit the shader nodes as you like.

       

    Basic Fire

    Bubbles

       

    Cigarette Smoke

    Falling Leaves

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