Trapcode Particular
Distribution group
When a Box, Sphere, Layer, 3D Model or Text/Mask Emitter is selected, the Distribution group becomes available. This allows you to evenly distribute your particles in a grid-like manner. Distribution controls become active for all applicable emitter types when On a Grid is checked.
When On a Grid is selected in the Designer, additional options become available depending on the Emitter Type and behavior.
Distribution properties that show when On a grid is Selected from Left to Right - Options for a Box Emitter with a Form Behavior, Options for a Sphere Emitter.
As Strings
When the Box or Sphere Emitter is selected with one of the two Form behaviors enabled As Strings becomes available . Activating it will allow you to set the size and basic appearance of the Emitter under the String Settings.
An example of a Box Emitter with As Strings selected.
Particles in X, Y, Z
Controls how many particles are emitted along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis of the grid. Higher values make more particles.
Technical Note: Sometimes Particles in X, Y, X may not seem to have an effect on the grid of particles. To see the Grid more clearly, you may need to increase the Emitter Size values in X, Y, and Z to spread out the grid. Also, if the Initial Velocity is high, the movement of the particles will mask the grid formation as the particles move from their initial grid formation. The Emitter Size and Velocity parameters are in the main Emitter group .
The Grid Circles preset with Particles X = 12, Y = 5, Z = 1
Sequencing Type
Type Controls the style of particle emission along the grid. There are four options.
- Periodic Burst (default) means that an entire grid of particles is emitted at once.
- Traverse means that one particle at a time is emitted while the grid is traversed in order.
- Random emits particles randomly across the grid.
- Z Sync Traverse one particle is emitted at a time on the x and y axis. Particles emit together if they share the same Z plane.
Traverse (Top) versus Z Sync Traverse (Bottom)
String Settings
These settings become available when As Strings is checked. They are available for Sphere and box Emitters set to form behaviors
The Drift Strings Preset
- Size Random: Sets a randomness to the size of the strings. By varying the size of the particles that make up the string, this makes some strings thicker and some thinner.
- Size Rnd Distribution: Controls the random distribution of smaller and thicker strings, and generates lines that appear randomly thicker or thinner across the form.
- Taper Size pop-up: Applies a tapered string thickness at the ends of the strings with two options. Off: No taper is applied. Smooth: Offers a taper that starts closer to the center of the form, which makes the falloff more gradual. Linear: Uses a linear falloff model, which causes the taper to only begin near the edges of the form.
- Taper Opacity pop-up: Applies a tapered opacity at the ends of the strings with two options. Like Taper Size, these controls produce slightly different visuals.
- Off: No tapered opacity is applied.
- Smooth: Causes the ends to appear shorter and more transparent.
- Linear: Only tapers the opacity close to the edge of the form.