Trapcode Particular

About Multiple Systems

Multiple Systems allow you to create significantly more powerful and complex particle systems. In a nutshell, Multiple Systems is like having many instances of Particular in a single effect. This becomes even more powerful as we can now mix Form behaviors with emitters that are continuous, exploding, or even emitting from a parent system.

Not only can each secondary system contain its own set of controls like an emitter and physics, but these additional systems can also “inherit” the properties and behaviors of the Primary System. For example, if you’re emitting particles with a 3D Model emitter, you could create an additional system that created particles independent of that 3D model emitter, or particles that also emitted from that same 3D model. You can set additional systems to emit from parent systems, and for every instance of Particular, you can have up to 16 systems (one Primary System and 15 secondary systems).

Next, we’ll look at how to work with Multiple Systems in the Particular UI (in the Effects Controls panel (ECP) in After Effects). But the recommended way to create and work with Multiple Systems is in the Designer. The Designer allows for much more flexibility and ease of use when working with Multiple Systems. Additionally, there are several features (such as duplicating systems or saving system presets) that are only available in the Designer.