Show in Contents
![](../images/show_in_contents.gif)
Add to Favorites
![](../images/add_favorite.gif)
Home: Flint
Using a Light Source
![](./../images/nav-prev-xp.gif)
Generating Particles
![](./../images/nav-up-xp.gif)
Using a 3D Object
Using a Surface
Use
a surface as a particle generator to generate particles based on
the area, shape, and colour of a surface. You can use a surface's
matte to restrict where particles are generated. When the matte
is off, the particle stream is generated from the entire surface.
When the matte is on, particles are only generated where the matte
is white or grey.
You can animate the shape of the surface using
its tangent handles. The starting area of the particle stream matches
the surface's shape animation. See
Changing the Shape of a Surface.
To
add a particle stream using a surface:
- Select
or add a surface that you want to use as a particle generator.
- Adjust
the surface's shape, position, and other attributes. See
Modifying Surfaces.
- With
the surface node selected in the schematic, do one of the following:
- Drag
the particle generator node from the node bar and place it in the
schematic.
- Double-click
the particle generator node. You do not need to be in Schematic
view to add a node in this manner.
A particle generator object is added and automatically
connected to the selected surface.
- Set
the particle generator's properties. See
Customizing the Particle Stream.
- If
you do not want the surface to appear in the scene, you can hide
the surface in Schematic view. A particle stream is generated from
the hidden surface.
- To
make the generated particles change as the surface's clip changes,
enable Indirect in the Particle Generator menu.