Deform particles

User Guide > Dynamics and Effects > Dynamics > Particles >

Deform particles

Deformers let you influence particle positions in a variety of ways.

To deform particles

Create a scene with particles.
Select the particle object.
In the Animation menu set, click Create Deformers.
Select the deformer you want to use on the selected particle object. You can deform particles with all deformers except for the skinning and blend shapes deformers.
The deformers operate in the same way as they do for geometry. You can also layer deformers.

You can also combine particle deformation with forces: deform the particles, then apply the desired forces to the intermediate object. Alternatively, you could apply forces to particles before the application of a deformer.

NoteParticles affected by deformers do not exhibit inertia. Attributes such as velocity are not affected by deformations of particle shapes, and should be accounted for when animating particles using deformers.

For example, particles within a flow deformed with a bend deformer will not slow down or speed up in relation to their position within the bend.