---
title: "10 - Blocks"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/10-Form-blocks.html"
section_path: "Particles and 3D > Form > 10 - Blocks"
description: "Blocks are components that represent a subset of the groups found within Form. For example, particle size, color, and type are all Form components …"
---

# 10 - Blocks

Form

### Blocks in the Designer

Blocks are components that represent a subset of the groups found within Form. For example, particle size, color, and type are all Form components represented by Blocks in the Designer.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksParticle.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksParticle.png)

Let’s start fresh from the Designer's default blocks in the Effects Chain and learn how to create a new effect.

To begin, access the Blocks pane in the Designer’s upper-right corner. Move your cursor over the word Blocks (or the area immediately to its left). This opens the Blocks pane in Unlocked mode, meaning that if your cursor returns to the left side of the Designer interface, the Blocks area will automatically close. You can click the arrow beside the word Blocks to put it in Locked mode, so it stays open. Click the arrow again to put it back in Unlocked mode. The pane contains eight sections of preset blocks divided into categories that correspond to groups and sections in Form’s main After Effects ECP interface.

**Form Block Groups**

- Base Form: Base Form Blocks control the shape of the particle structure. The Designer has Base Form presets, including 3D models. Learn more about Base Form on the [Base Form](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/16-Form-base-form.html.md) controls pages.
- Particle: Particle Blocks determine what particles will look like. The Designer has a block for each Particle Type. Learn more about particles on the [Particle](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/19-Form-particle.html.md) controls pages.
- Shading: Shading Blocks allows you to apply Shadowlet Blocks, which will interact with any lights you have set up inside your AE comp. Learn more about Shadowlets on the [Shadowlet Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/26-Form-shading-shadowlet.html.md) page.
- Disperse and Twist: Contains several options (in the form of Blocks) for dispersing particles at different settings, as well as several different Twist options for twisting the Base Form. For more info on Disperse and Twist, see the [Disperse and Twist](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/29-Form-disperse-and-twist.html.md) page.
- Fluid: Give your particle form the appearance of fluid with an array of fluid blocks that apply fluid dynamics across your effect. Learn more about fluid dynamics on the [Fluid Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/30-Form-fluid-global-fluid-controls.html.md) page.
- Fractal Field: The Designer contains several different varieties of Fractal Field distortions you can apply to particles to transform their form. Learn more about the Fractal Field on the [Fractal Field Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/31-Form-fractal-field.html.md) page.
- Spherical Field: Creates a spherical distortion that transforms your form. There are two separate Spherical Fields you can use, and the Designer contains two preset Blocks for each. Learn more about the Spherical Fields on the [Spherical Field Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/32-Form-spherical-field.html.md) page.
- Kaleidospace: Mirrors the form particles to create symmetry. Learn more about Kaleidospace on the [Kaleidospace Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/33-Form-kaleidospace.html.md) page.
- Transform: Controls basic properties such as Offset (movement), Scale, and Rotation of the whole form structure. Learn more about World Transform on the [World Transform Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/34-Form-transform.html.md) page.

### Base Form Blocks

Base Form blocks divide into multiple types, such as Box Grid, Sphere, and a range of OBJ models.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksBaseForm.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksBaseForm.png)

Consult the Saving New Blocks section (below) to save your custom Base Form blocks. Refer to this guide’s [Base Form](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/16-Form-base-form.html.md) controls section for more information on how specific controls work with Base Form blocks.

### Particle Blocks

This Blocks group allows you to select the object type used for the particles, as well as blocks to control **Size/Rotation**, **Opacity**, and **Color**.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksParticleType.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksParticleType.png)

Selecting a block in the top of this section will change the particle type. Selecting one of the other blocks will change the existing particle block’s properties.

Consult the Saving New Blocks section (below) to save custom Particle blocks. Refer to this user guide’s [Particle](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/19-Form-particle.html.md) controls section for more information on how specific controls influence Particle blocks.

### Shading Blocks

Shading Blocks allow you to add a Shadowlet to your particles.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksShading.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksShading.png)

Consult the Saving New Blocks section (below) to save custom Shading blocks. Refer to this user guide’s [Shadowlet Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/26-Form-shading-shadowlet.html.md) section for more information on how the specific controls influence Shading blocks.

### Disperse and Twist Blocks

There are four Disperse blocks and four Twist blocks. You may have one from each category represented in the Effects Chain.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksDandT.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksDandT.png)

Refer to the [Disperse and Twist Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/29-Form-disperse-and-twist.html.md) section of the user guide for more information on how specific Disperse and Twist controls work.

### **Fluid**

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksFluid.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksFluid.png)

The Fluid blocks serve as great jumping off points for giving particles the appearance of fluid. Visit the [Fluid](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/30-Form-fluid-global-fluid-controls.html.md) section of the guide for more information on working with fluid dynamics.

### Fractal Field

The Fractal Field in Form is a great way to distort particles. This section contains blocks for affecting the size, opacity, and displacement of your form particles. Note that applying any Fractal Field blocks (aside from the Default block) will automatically create animation unless the Flow Evolution value is set to zero.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksFractal.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksFractal.png)

Consult the Saving New Blocks section (below) to save custom Fractal Field blocks. Refer to the user guide’s [Fractal Field](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/31-Form-fractal-field.html.md) section for more information on how specific controls influence Fractal Field blocks.

### Spherical Field

Form allows you to distort your base form by using two separate spherical areas. These act as invisible spheres that move particles. In the Designer, blocks can push or pull particles using either of the Spherical Fields. Each Spherical Field can have its own block with its own independent settings.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksSpherical.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksSpherical.png)\
Consult the Saving New Blocks section (below) to save custom Spherical Field blocks. Refer to this user guide’s [Spherical Field Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/32-Form-spherical-field.html.md) section for more information on how specific controls influence Spherical Field blocks.

### Kaleidospace

Kaleidospace blocks can create horizontal symmetry, create vertical symmetry, or reset Kaleidospace to its default settings.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksKaleidospace.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksKaleidospace.png)\
Consult the Saving New Blocks section (below) to save custom Kaleidospace blocks. Refer to this user guide’s [Kaleidospace Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/33-Form-kaleidospace.html.md) section for more information on how specific controls influence Kaleidospace blocks.

### World Transform

World Transform controls basic settings such as offset (movement), scale, and rotation. By default, the only World Transform block is Default, which resets World Transform back to its default settings. This is handy for those who love to experiment.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_Transform.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_Transform.png)

Consult the Saving New Blocks section (below) to save your own custom World Transform blocks. Refer to this user guide’s [World Transform Group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/34-Form-transform.html.md) section guide for more information on how specific controls influence World Transform blocks.

### Block Controls Pane

The Form Designer includes many preset blocks to get you started. Each block contains its own controls that correspond to settings from the main Form plug-in. For example, the Base Form block settings correspond to the Base Form group in the main plug-in (see this guide’s [Base Form](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/16-Form-base-form.html.md) section for details on how these controls work). The Block Controls pane is visible when the Blocks pane is closed and a Block from the Effects Chain is selected.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlockControls.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlockControls.png)\
*With Fractal Field selected in the Effects Chain and the Blocks area closed, the Block controls become visible on the right side of the Designer interface.*

**Saving New Blocks**

The Designer allows you to save each block’s settings. This creates a new preset block for reuse whenever you employ the Designer.

![Image: TC_Form_Designer_BlocksColor.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Form_Designer_BlocksColor.png)

![bitd12](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/bitd12_trapcode-form.png)\
To save a custom block, click on the Save Block Values icon located at the upper-right corner of the Block Controls pane. Once saved, the new block will appear in alphabetical order below the preset Blocks in a newly created Custom section.

![bitd13](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/bitd13_trapcode-form.png)

To reset block settings to their defaults, click the reset icon located at the top-right of the block controls pane (immediately above the Save Block Values icon).