Space warps and particle systems are additional modeling tools. Space warps are “force fields” that deform other objects, creating the effect of ripples, waves, blowing wind, and so on. Particle systems generate particle sub-objects for the purpose of simulating snow, rain, dust, and so on. (You use particle systems primarily in animations.)
Left: Fountain spray created as a particle system
Insets on right: Wind space warp changes the direction of fountain spray
Space warps are nonrenderable objects that affect the appearance of other objects. Space warps create force fields that deform other objects, creating the effect of ripples, waves, blowing wind, and so on.
Particle systems are useful for a variety of animation tasks. Primarily, they're employed when animating a large number of small objects using procedural methods; for instance, creating a snowstorm, a stream of water, or an explosion. 3ds Max provides two different types of particle systems: event-driven and non-event-driven. The event-driven particle system, Particle Flow, tests particle properties, and, based on the test results, sends them to different events. Each event assigns various attributes and behaviors to the particles while they're in the event. In the non-event-driven systems, particles typically exhibit consistent properties throughout the animation.
