Setting Particle Rendering Properties
The following Generator properties affect the rendering and previewing of the particle stream.
(a) Interactive Type box (b) Render Type box
Interactive Type boxSpecifies the type of particle to display in the Action scene. For example, as you move between frames, the particle stream is redrawn. If you are using a custom 3D object for each particle, redrawing the scene may take a while. By changing the interactive type to a point or line, your interaction with Action is much quicker.
Factor fieldSpeeds up Action by changing the number of particles shown in the scene. This works only while using Action and does not affect the rendered result.
For example, if you generate 1000 particles with manipulators and bouncers, interacting with Action may become slow because calculations have to be made for each particle. If you specify a factor of 10, the number of particles is reduced to 10%, or 100 particles. Using Action is then faster, yet when you click Preview or Process, 1000 particles are created.
Regen buttonWhen enabled, automatically updates the scene when you change a particle generator parameter. Using Action with this button enabled may cause slowdowns since the particle stream is recalculated each time a parameter is changed.
Render Type boxSpecifies the type of particle used when rendering the scene.
| Select: | To: |
|---|---|
| Node | Use your own 3D object, text, or a surface for each particle. See Using Custom Particles. |
| Cones | Use a cone for each particle. You can adjust the size of the cone's tail. |
| Spheres | Use a 3D object of a sphere for each particle. |
| Polygons | Explode 3D objects and surfaces. See Exploding Objects and Surfaces. |
| Quads | Use a square with a tail for each particle. You can adjust the size of the square's tail. |
| Squares | Use a square for each particle. |
| Lines | Use a line for each particle. |
| Points | Use a single pixel for each particle. Points are not affected by size or trail. |
Subdivide fieldSets the number of polygons used to render cones and spheres. The larger the number of subdivisions, the smoother the cones or spheres are drawn. Increasing Subdivide also increases rendering time.
If you are using an imported 3D object or text for a particle, use the Subdivide field and button in the Geometry menu to set the number of polygons. The Geometry menu's Subdivide field works differently than the Subdivide field in the Generator menu. See Subdividing a Model.
Sort buttonDetermines how the particles are drawn, according to the Z-order. If a Particle Generator node is selected, the state of the Sort button is the same in the Param1 and Geometry menus.