---
title: "23 - Particle Type"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/23-Trapcode-Particular-particle-type.html"
section_path: "Particles and 3D > Trapcode Particular > 23 - Particle Type"
description: "Particle Type is the building block of Particular. By default, the plugin uses the Sphere particle."
---

# 23 - Particle Type

Particular

### Particle Type

Particle Type is the building block of Particular. By default, the plugin uses the Sphere particle.

![Image: TP5_ParticleType_trapcode-particular.png](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/TP5_ParticleType_trapcode-particular.png)

The list below gives a basic definition and optimal controls to use with each particle type.

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| ![ptype_sphere](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/ptype_sphere_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Sphere:** (the default) A basic round particle. Control its softness with [Sphere Feather.](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/22-Trapcode-Particular-particle.html.md) |
| ![ptype_glowsphere](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/ptype_glowsphere_trapcode-particular.jpg) | **Glow Sphere (No DOF):** A glowing round particle with adjustable [Feathering](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/22-Trapcode-Particular-particle.html.md) and [Glow](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/26-Trapcode-Particular-particle-glow.html.md). |
| ![ptype_star](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/ptype_star_trapcode-particular.jpg) | **Star (No DOF):** A star-shaped particle with adjustable [Rotation](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/25-Trapcode-Particular-particle-rotation.html.md) and [Glow](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/26-Trapcode-Particular-particle-glow.html.md) . |
| ![ptype_cloudlet](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/ptype_cloudlet_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Cloudlet:** A randomized shape resembling a small cloud with adjustable [Feathering](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/22-Trapcode-Particular-particle.html.md) and [Rotation.](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/25-Trapcode-Particular-particle-rotation.html.md) |
| ![ptype_streaklet](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/ptype_streaklet_trapcode-particular.jpg) | **Streaklet:** A long-exposure light painting effect. Control it with the [Streaklet group](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/28-Trapcode-Particular-particle-streaklet.html.md). |
| ![ptype_sprite](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/ptype_sprite_trapcode-particular.gif) | **Sprite:** Use any local layer as a particle. Find more info here. |

#### Sphere, Glow Sphere, Star

**Sphere** is the default particle type. It is a simple, round dot that lends itself well to particle systems, which are often spherical units. Dust, snow, and rain are all common examples of rounded particle systems. **Glow Sphere** is a glowy version of the sphere shape. **Star** is a simple, four-pointed shape that has a glow applied.

![particle-sphere](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/particle-sphere_trapcode-particular.jpg)

**Sphere**

![particle-sphereglow](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/particle-sphereglow_trapcode-particular.jpg)

**Glow Sphere**

![particle-star](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/particle-star_trapcode-particular.jpg)

**Star**

#### Cloudlet

A cloudlet is a randomized shape that looks like a small cloud. Cloudlets appear like smoke when their color is dark gray and like clouds when their color is white.

![particle-cloudlet](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/particle-cloudlet_trapcode-particular.jpg)

#### Streaklet

A streaklet is a long-exposure light painting effect.

![particle-streaklet2](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/particle-streaklet2_trapcode-particular.jpg)

#### Sprite

The sprite particle is a custom layer loaded into Particular. The default sprite will load a square.

Once you select **Sprite** as your Particle type, a group of sprite controls enable. Read the [Sprite Controls](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/24-Trapcode-Particular-particle-sprite-controls.html.md) page for more information.

### Inherit Particle Type

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

Trapcode Particular allows child particles of secondary systems to inherit multiple characteristics of the parent/primary system particles. We touch on this from within the Designer UI on this guide's [Particle Group page](https://help.maxon.net/rg/en-us/Content/html/22-Trapcode-Particular-particle.html.md), but the above image shows how to enable this child particle inheritance from the ECP. With System 2 selected, you'll see multiple inheritance checkboxes within the Particle group, including **Inherit Particle Type from Parent**. As shown in the image below, each trail of spawned child particles adopts the same sprite as the parent because the **Inherit Particle Type** box is checked.

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