Trapcode Particular

Global Controls

Pre Run (seconds)

This control is used to pre-run all the systems so that particles can be visible at the first frame. Set the number of seconds ahead you want the setup to begin.

Simulation Samples/frame

If lines are looking jagged on fast moving trails, you may need to increase the number of Simulation Samples used per frame. Increasing this value will increase render times. Since it usually doesn’t need to be above 1, that is the default for better performance.

But when you really need that extra help, turn it all the way up to eleven.

Physics Time Factor

This parameter enables full control over the particles' time travel. Time Factor can be used to speed up or slow down the particle movements, or freeze them completely, or play their movement backwards. All actions are keyframeable.

The Physics Time Factor control in the Global Controls group.

How Time Factor works

To freeze time, the Physics Time Factor parameter has to be keyframed down to 0. If it is simply set to 0, no particles will ever be born. You can keyframe from 0 to another value to make the particles move again. Higher values make the particles move faster.