When you play an animation, Maya calculates dynamics each frame for all dynamic objects in the scene. The state of a dynamic object is the collection of its current attribute settings—the settings that specify its location and display characteristics. The state of a dynamic object in any frame other than the first is based on its state in the prior frame. Maya calculates dynamic effects sequentially starting at the first frame.

A dynamic object’s initial state is the state of its attributes at the first frame of the animation. You can play an animation up to some frame, then use its current state as its initial state.

For example, suppose you have an emitter and you want the scene to start when the emitter has already emitted a certain amount of particles. You can play and stop the scene at the frame where you see the particles emitted, then set the current attribute values for use at the initial state. When you rewind and play, the scene starts with the particles already emitted.

To use a dynamic object’s current attribute values at the initial state

1. Play and stop the animation at the desired frame.
2. Select the dynamic object.
3. Select Solvers > Initial State > Set for Selected.

To use all dynamic objects’ current attribute values at the initial state

1. Play and stop the animation at the desired frame.
2. Select Solvers > Initial State > Set for all Dynamic.
   NoteIf you key the motion of Streak or MultiStreak particles, you can’t use their current state as the initial state.