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Synopsis

particle [-attribute string] [-cache boolean] [-conserve float] [-count] [-deleteCache] [-dynamicAttrList] [-floatValue float] [-gridSpacing linear] [-inherit float] [-jitterBasePoint linear linear linear] [-jitterRadius linear] [-lowerLeft linear linear linear] [-name string] [-numJitters uint] [-order int] [-particleId int] [-perParticleDouble] [-perParticleVector] [-position linear linear linear] [-shapeName string] [-upperRight linear linear linear] [-vectorValue float float float] object

particle is undoable, queryable, and editable.

The particle command creates a new particle object from a list of world space points. If a particle object is created, the command returns the names of the new particle shape and its associated particle object dependency node. If an object was queried, the results of the query are returned. Per particle attributes can be queried using the particleId or the order of the particle in the particle array. If an object was edited, nothing is returned.

Return value

string The name of the particle object created

In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.

Related

addPP, air, collision, connectDynamic, drag, dynExport, dynExpression, emit, emitter, event, getParticleAttr, goal, gravity, newton, radial, setParticleAttr

Flags

attribute, cache, conserve, count, deleteCache, dynamicAttrList, floatValue, gridSpacing, inherit, jitterBasePoint, jitterRadius, lowerLeft, name, numJitters, order, particleId, perParticleDouble, perParticleVector, position, shapeName, upperRight, vectorValue
Long name (short name) Argument types Properties
-position(-p) linear linear linear multiuse
World-space position of each particle.
-inherit(-i) float queryedit
Inherit this fraction (0-1) of emitting object's velocity.
-name(-n) string queryedit
name of particle object
-shapeName(-sn) string queryedit
Specify the shape name used for geometry instancing. DO not confuse this with the -n flag which names the particle object.
-count(-ct) query
Returns the number of particles in the object.
-dynamicAttrList(-dal) query
Returns a list of the dynamic attributes in the object.
-perParticleDouble(-ppd) query
Returns a list of the per-particle double attributes, excluding initial-state, cache, and information-only attributes.
-perParticleVector(-ppv) query
Returns a list of the per-particle vector attributes, excluding initial-state, cache, and information-only attributes.
-conserve(-c) float queryedit
Conservation of momentum control (between 0 and 1). Specifies the fraction of the particle shape's existing momentum which is conserved from frame to frame. A value of 1 (the default) corresponds to true Newtonian physics, in which momentum is conserved.
-particleId(-id) int queryedit
Used in per particle attribute query and edit. Specifies the id of the particle whose attribute is being queried or edited. Querying the value of a per particle attribute requires the -attribute and -id or -order flags and their arguments to precede the -q flag.

In query mode, this flag needs a value.
-order(-or) int queryedit
Used in per particle attribute query and edit. Specifies the zero-based order (index) of the particle whose attribute is being queried or edited in the particle array. Querying the value of a per particle attribute requires the -attribute and -id or -order flags and their arguments to precede the -q flag.

In query mode, this flag needs a value.
-attribute(-at) string queryedit
Used in per particle attribute query and edit. Specifies the name of the attribute being queried or edited.

In query mode, this flag needs a value.
-vectorValue(-vv) float float float edit
Used only in per particle attribute edit. Specifies that the edit is of a vector attribute and must be followed by all three float values for the vector.
-floatValue(-fv) float edit
Used only in per particle attribute edit. Specifies that the edit is of a float attribute and must be followed by the new float value.
-numJitters(-nj) uint createquerymultiuse
Number of jitters (instances) per particle.
-jitterRadius(-jr) linear createquerymultiuse
Max radius from the center to place the particle instances.
-jitterBasePoint(-jbp) linear linear linear createquerymultiuse
Base point (center point) for jitters. The command will create one swatch of jitters for each base point. It will pair up other flags with base points in the order they are given in the command line. If not enough instances of the other flags are availble, the last one on the line with be used for all other instances of -jpb.
-gridSpacing(-grs) linear createquerymultiuse
Spacing between particles in the grid.
-lowerLeft(-ll) linear linear linear createquerymultiuse
Lower left point of grid.
-upperRight(-ur) linear linear linear createquerymultiuse
Upper right point of grid.
-cache(-ch) boolean createqueryedit
Turns caching on/off for the particle shape.
-deleteCache(-dc) create
Deletes the particle shapes cache. This command is not undoable.
Flag can appear in Create mode of command Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command Flag can be used more than once in a command.

MEL examples

// Creates a particle object with four particles
particle -p 0 0 0 -p 3 5 6 -p 5 6 7 -p 9 9 9;

// Returns the age of the particle with id 5 in object particle1
particle -attribute age -id 5 -q particle1;

// Returns the velocity of the 7th particle in the currently selected
// particle object
particle -attribute velocity -order 7 -q;

// Edits the velocity of the 7th particle in the currently selected
// particle object to be 0.0, 1.0, 0.0
particle -e -attribute velocity -order 7 -vectorValue 0.0 1.0 0.0;

// Edits the mass of the particle in "particle1" with id 3 to be 0.7
particle -e -attribute mass -id 3 -fv 0.7 particle1;