Use Action's 3D particle system to create a variety of effects such as snow, rain, fog, and tornadoes, as well as fireworks, sparks, and explosions.
Particles are 3D objects that originate from a surface, light, or 3D object. Particles can be spheres, cones, squares, points, lines, or any image, 3D text, or 3D object. Particles are generated in the direction of the normals of a surface, light, or 3D object—a normal is a line perpendicular to the surface of an object.
In Action, the main components for generating particles are generators, manipulators, and bouncers. You can also use the particle system to explode a 3D object or an image.
Generators
To create a particle stream, start by adding a particle generator that creates a stream of particles when attached to a light source, 3D object, or surface. You can use three different generators: light source, surface, and 3D object.
Particle generators have two settings:
- The Generate setting creates a stream of particles using the shape of a surface, a 3D object, or the spread of a light source. See Generating Particles.
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- The Explode setting breaks up a surface or 3D object. See Exploding Objects and Surfaces.
Manipulators
Particle manipulators are used to influence either the position or the speed of particles. Manipulators can simulate the effects of a vortex, gravitational pull, or the pull toward a point, line, or plane. Manipulators are parented by the particle stream that they influence.
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Action offers eight manipulators. Instructions on how to use each manipulator are provided in Manipulating Particles.
Bouncers
Particle bouncers are used to influence the behaviour of particles when they come into contact with a surface. You can parent an axis or light source to a particle bouncer. See Bouncing Particles.
