---
title: "16 - Emitter Type"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/16-Trapcode-Particular-emitter-type-direction.html"
section_path: "Particles and 3D > Trapcode Particular > 16 - Emitter Type"
description: "The Emitter is where particles are born and released from. The Emitter Type sets the shape and functionality of the particle emission or, if set to a form …"
---

# 16 - Emitter Type

Particular

### Emitter Type

The Emitter is where particles are born and released from. The Emitter Type sets the shape and functionality of the particle emission or, if set to a form behavior, the shape the particles will create.

There are nine emitter types:

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| ![emit_point](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/emit_point1_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Point:** All particles are born at the same central point. |
| ![emit_box](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/emit_box_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Box:** Particles spawn within a box. For the sake of illustration, Velocity is 0 here. |
| ![emit_sphere](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/emit_sphere_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Sphere:** Particles spawn within a sphere. For the sake of illustration, Velocity is 0 here. |
| ![emitt_light](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/emitt_light_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Light(s):** Particles spawn from the lights in the comp. Read about using [Light Emitters.](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/17-Trapcode-Particular-emitter-light-emitter.html.md) |
| ![Image: LayerEmitter_trapcode-particular.gif](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/LayerEmitter_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Layer:** Particles spawn from a layer in the comp. Read about using [Layer Emitters](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/19-Trapcode-Particular-emitter-layer-emitter.html.md). |
| ![Image: objgif_trapcode-particular.gif](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/objgif_trapcode-particular.gif) | **3D Model:** Particles emit from a 3D model you've imported into your project. Read about using [3D Models](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/20-Trapcode-Particular-emitter-model.html.md). |
| [Video: EmitterType_01.mp4](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/EmitterType_01.mp4) | **Text/Mask:** Particles emit from a text or mask source. |
| [Video: EmitterType_02.mp4](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/EmitterType_02.mp4) | **Emit from Parent:** Child particles emit from each particle of the selected parent system. Read about using [Emit & Stroke from Parent](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/11-Trapcode-Particular-emit-from-parent-system.html.md). |
| [Video: TC_Particular_StrokeFromParent.mp4](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TC_Particular_StrokeFromParent.mp4) | **Stroke from Parent:** Stroke trails emit from each particle of the selected parent system. Read about using [Emit & Stroke from Parent](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/11-Trapcode-Particular-emit-from-parent-system.html.md). |

Note that Grid Emitter options now reside in the Distribution group and are available for Box, Sphere, 3D Model, and Text/Mask emitters.