Form
Using multiple forms allow you to create significantly more powerful and complex particle forms. Essentially, multiple forms function like having several instances of Form in a single effect. Each secondary form can contain its own set of controls over things like form type, shadowlets, and particle types. These additional forms can also “inherit” the properties and behaviors of the Primary Form. For example, if your base form stems from a 3D model, you could create an additional form with particles independent of that 3D model emitter or particles overlaying that same 3D model.
For every instance of Form, you can have up to eight forms (one Primary Form and seven secondary forms). Having multiple forms allows for much more richness in Form than previously possible.
In the next page, we’ll examine at how to work with multiple forms in the Form UI (within the After Effects ECP). That said, the easiest, most flexible way to create and work with multiple forms, is in the Designer (shown above). Moreover, there are several features, such as duplicating forms or saving form presets, that are only available in the Designer.