MFnParticleSystem Class Reference

#include <MFnParticleSystem.h>

Class Description

Class for obtaining information about a particle system.

Particle object access class.

• isValid(): data is valid (predicate)
• renderType(): object render type
• count(): particle count at current frame

Use this chart to determine which methods to call based on the render type of the particle object:

• Valid Methods for render type kCloud:

  • position(): particle position
  • radius(): particle radius
  • surfaceShading(): object surface shading value
  • betterIllum(): invoke thick cloud sampling
  • threshold(): object threshold
  • disableCloudAxis(): for internal use; do not call
  • flatShaded(): cloud is flat shaded in modeling view

• Valid Methods for render type kTube:

  • position0(): particle start position
  • position1(): particle end position
  • radius0(): particle start radius
  • radius1(): particle end radius
  • tailSize(): length scale factor

• Valid Methods for render type kBlobby:

  • position(): particle position
  • radius(): particle radius
  • threshold(): object threshold

• Valid Methods for render type kHardware:
  • position(): particle position
  • radius(): particle radius

Examples:

Inheritance diagram for MFnParticleSystem:

Public Types
enum	RenderType {   kCloud, kTube, kBlobby, kMultiPoint,   kMultiStreak, kNumeric, kPoints, kSpheres,   kSprites, kStreak }
	Ways in which particles can be rendered. More...
Public Types inherited from MFnDagNode
enum	{ kNextPos = 0xff }
	Anonymous enum to store constant values. More...
enum	MObjectColorType { kUseDefaultColor = 0, kUseIndexColor, kUseRGBColor }
	Enum to set how an object is colored. More...
Public Types inherited from MFnDependencyNode
enum	MAttrClass { kLocalDynamicAttr = 1, kNormalAttr, kExtensionAttr, kInvalidAttr }
	Specifies the scope of the attribute. More...
enum	MdgTimerState { kTimerOff, kTimerOn, kTimerUninitialized, kTimerInvalidState }
	Possible states for the node's timer. More...
enum	MdgTimerMetric {   kTimerMetric_callback, kTimerMetric_compute, kTimerMetric_dirty, kTimerMetric_draw,   kTimerMetric_fetch, kTimerMetric_callbackViaAPI, kTimerMetric_callbackNotViaAPI, kTimerMetric_computeDuringCallback,   kTimerMetric_computeNotDuringCallback, kTimerMetrics }
	The different timer metrics which can be queried. More...
enum	MdgTimerType { kTimerType_self, kTimerType_inclusive, kTimerType_count, kTimerTypes }
	The types of timers which can be queried. More...

Public Member Functions
virtual MFn::Type	type () const
	Function set type.
virtual	~MFnParticleSystem ()
	Destructor. More...
	MFnParticleSystem ()
	Default constructor.
	MFnParticleSystem (MObject &object, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Constructor. More...
	MFnParticleSystem (const MDagPath &object, MStatus *ret=NULL)
	Constructor. More...
MObject	create (MStatus *status=NULL)
	To create a new particleShape with a transform. More...
MObject	create (MObject parent, MStatus *status=NULL)
	To create a new particleShape. More...
MStatus	emit (const MPoint &position)
	To add a new particle at the given position. More...
MStatus	emit (const MPointArray &positionArray)
	To add an array of new particles at the given positions. More...
MStatus	emit (const MPoint &position, const MVector &velocity)
	To add a new particle at the position with its velocity. More...
MStatus	emit (const MPointArray &positionArray, const MVectorArray &velocityArray)
	To add an array of new particles at the given positions with their velocity values. More...
MStatus	saveInitialState () const
	To reset the particle's current state as the initial state. More...
void	evaluateDynamics (MTime &to, bool runupFromStart)
	Run up the particle system to a certain frame, from either the current frame, or from the start of the simulation. More...
bool	isValid () const
	Returns false if the particle array is NULL. More...
MString	particleName () const
	Returns the name of this particle system.
unsigned int	count () const
	Returns the particle count at the current frame.
void	setCount (unsigned int) const
	Set the particle count at the current frame. More...
RenderType	renderType () const
	Return the render type used by the particle object.
void	position (MVectorArray &) const
	Compute each particle's position at the start of the time step. More...
void	velocity (MVectorArray &) const
	To return velocity array for all particles. More...
void	acceleration (MVectorArray &) const
	To return acceleration array for all particles. More...
void	position0 (MVectorArray &) const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube. More...
void	position1 (MVectorArray &) const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube. More...
void	radius (MDoubleArray &) const
	Calculates particle radii. More...
void	radius0 (MDoubleArray &) const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube. More...
void	radius1 (MDoubleArray &) const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube. More...
double	surfaceShading () const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud. More...
double	threshold () const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud or kBlobby. More...
bool	betterIllum () const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud. More...
bool	flatShaded () const
	To check if a particle shape of cloud type is flat shaded. More...
bool	disableCloudAxis () const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud. More...
double	tailSize () const
	Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube. More...
void	particleIds (MIntArray &) const
	Return an array of particle identifiers at the start of the time step. More...
void	age (MDoubleArray &) const
	Populates the given array with the age values of the particles in this system.
void	lifespan (MDoubleArray &) const
	Populates the given array with the lifespan values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute. More...
void	rgb (MVectorArray &) const
	Populates the given array with the color values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute. More...
void	opacity (MDoubleArray &) const
	Populates the given array with the opacity values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute. More...
void	mass (MDoubleArray &) const
	To return mass array for all particles. More...
void	emission (MVectorArray &) const
	Populates the given array with the incandescence values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute. More...
bool	hasLifespan () const
	Returns whether or not the particles in this system have a lifespan attribute. More...
bool	hasRgb () const
	Returns whether or not the particles in this system have an rgb attribute. More...
bool	hasOpacity () const
	Returns whether or not the particles in this system have an opacity attribute. More...
bool	hasEmission () const
	Returns whether or not the particles in this system have an emission attribute. More...
bool	primaryVisibility () const
	Returns whether or not the rendering attribute for primary visibility in reflections has been enabled.
bool	visibleInReflections () const
	Returns whether or not the rendering attribute for particle visibility in reflections has been enabled.
bool	visibleInRefractions () const
	Returns whether or not the rendering attribute for particle visibility in refractions has been enabled.
bool	castsShadows () const
	Returns whether or not the rendering attribute for particles casting shadows has been enabled.
bool	receiveShadows () const
	Returns whether or not the rendering attribute for particles receiving shadows has been enabled.
unsigned int	getPerParticleAttribute (const MString &attrName, MIntArray &, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To get per particle integer attribute with its attribute name. More...
unsigned int	getPerParticleAttribute (const MString &attrName, MVectorArray &, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To get the per particle vector attribute of the given name. More...
unsigned int	getPerParticleAttribute (const MString &attrName, MDoubleArray &, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To get the per particle double attribute of the given name. More...
void	setPerParticleAttribute (const MString &attrName, MVectorArray &, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To set the per particle vector attribute of the given name with the given values. More...
void	setPerParticleAttribute (const MString &attrName, MDoubleArray &, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To set the per particle double attribute of the given name with the given values. More...
bool	isPerParticleIntAttribute (const MString &attrName, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To check if the input attribute is a per particle integer attribute. More...
bool	isPerParticleDoubleAttribute (const MString &attrName, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To check if the input attribute is a per particle double attribute. More...
bool	isPerParticleVectorAttribute (const MString &attrName, MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To check if the input attribute is a per particle vector attribute. More...
bool	isDeformedParticleShape (MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To return if this particle shape is deformed. More...
MObject	deformedParticleShape (MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To get the deformed particleShape. More...
MObject	originalParticleShape (MStatus *status=NULL) const
	To get the original particleShape. More...
	MFnParticleSystem (const MObject &object, MStatus *ret=NULL)
	Constructor. More...
Public Member Functions inherited from MFnDagNode
virtual	~MFnDagNode ()
	Destructor. More...
	MFnDagNode ()
	Class Constructor. More...
	MFnDagNode (MObject &object, MStatus *ret=NULL)
	This method is not available in Python. More...
	MFnDagNode (const MDagPath &object, MStatus *ret=NULL)
	Class Constructor. More...
MObject	create (const MTypeId &typeId, MObject &parent=MObject::kNullObj, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new DAG node with the given type tag. More...
MObject	create (const MTypeId &typeId, const MString &name, MObject &parent=MObject::kNullObj, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new DAG node with the given type tag. More...
MObject	create (const MString &type, MObject &parent=MObject::kNullObj, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new DAG node with the given type tag. More...
MObject	create (const MString &type, const MString &name, MObject &parent=MObject::kNullObj, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new DAG node with the given type tag. More...
unsigned int	parentCount (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the number of parent Nodes of the Node. More...
MObject	parent (unsigned int i, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Queries the DAG Node attached to the Function Set for the parent Node corresponding to the given index. More...
MStatus	addChild (MObject &child, unsigned int index=kNextPos, bool keepExistingParents=false)
	Makes the given DAG Node a child of the DAG Node to which this instance of the Function Set is attached. More...
MStatus	removeChild (MObject &child)
	Removes the given DAG Node from the parent. More...
MStatus	removeChildAt (unsigned int index)
	Removes the child at the given index from the parent. More...
unsigned int	childCount (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the number of child Nodes of the Node. More...
MObject	child (unsigned int i, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Queries the DAG Node attached to the Function Set for the child Node corresponding to the given index. More...
MObject	dagRoot (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Determines the root of the first DAG Path to the DAG Node attached to the Function Set. More...
bool	hasParent (const MObject &node, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the given Node is a parent of the DAG Node attached to the Function Set. More...
bool	hasChild (const MObject &node, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the given Node is a child of the DAG Node attached to the Function Set. More...
bool	isChildOf (const MObject &node, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the DAG Node attached to the Function Set is a child of the given node. More...
bool	isParentOf (const MObject &node, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the DAG Node attached to the Function Set is a parent of the given node. More...
bool	inUnderWorld (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the DAG Node is an underworld node. More...
bool	inModel (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the DAG Node is in the model. More...
bool	isInstanceable (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns true if the DAG node can be instanced, and false otherwise. More...
MStatus	setInstanceable (const bool how)
	Sets whether or not the DAG node is instanceable. More...
bool	isInstanced (bool indirect=true, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether the DAG Node attached to the Function Set is directly or indirectly instanced. More...
bool	isInstancedAttribute (const MObject &attr, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns true if the specified attribute is instanced. More...
unsigned int	instanceCount (bool total, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the number of times the Node attached to the Function Set is instanced. More...
MObject	duplicate (bool instance=false, bool instanceLeaf=false, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	This method duplicates the DAG hierarchy rooted at the current node. More...
MStatus	getPath (MDagPath &path) const
	Returns a DAG Path to the DAG Node attached to the Function Set. More...
MStatus	getAllPaths (MDagPathArray &paths) const
	Determines all DAG Paths to the DAG Node attached to the Function Set. More...
MString	fullPathName (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Return a string representing the full path from the root of the dag to this object. More...
MString	partialPathName (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Return a string representing the partial path from the root of the dag to this object. More...
MMatrix	transformationMatrix (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the object space transformation matrix for this DAG node. More...
bool	isIntermediateObject (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns true if this object is an intermediate in a geometry calculation. More...
MStatus	setIntermediateObject (bool isIntermediate)
	Sets whether this object is an intermediate in a geometry calculation. More...
int	objectColor (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	This method is obsolete. More...
MStatus	setObjectColor (int color)
	Sets the index for the current user defined inactive color used by the node. More...
bool	usingObjectColor (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
MStatus	setUseObjectColor (bool useObjectColor)
MObjectColorType	objectColorType (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the user defined inactive color will be used for the node, or whether the default inactive color will be used. More...
MStatus	setObjectColorType (MObjectColorType type)
	Sets whether or not the user defined inactive object color will be used. More...
MStatus	setObjectColor (const MColor &color)
	Sets the color value for the current user defined inactive color used by the node. More...
MColor	objectColorRGB (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the RGB color for the current user defined inactive color used by the node. More...
int	objectColorIndex (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the index for the current user defined inactive color used by the node. More...
MColor	hiliteColor (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the current hilite color used by the node. More...
bool	usingHiliteColor (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not the hilite color will be used for the node. More...
MColor	dormantColor (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the dormant color used by this node. More...
MColor	activeColor (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the active color used by this node. More...
bool	drawOverrideEnabled (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not draw override is turned on for this node. More...
bool	drawOverrideIsReference (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not Display Type of the draw override is Reference for this node. More...
bool	drawOverrideIsTemplate (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines whether or not Display Type of the draw override is Template for this node. More...
bool	drawOverrideColor (MColor &color, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Determines the draw override color used by this node. More...
MStatus	getConnectedSetsAndMembers (unsigned int instanceNumber, MObjectArray &sets, MObjectArray &comps, bool renderableSetsOnly) const
	Returns all the sets connected to the specified instance of this DAG object. More...
MBoundingBox	boundingBox (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the bounding box for the dag node in object space. More...
MDagPath	dagPath (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the DagPath to which the Function Set is attached. More...
virtual MStatus	setObject (const MDagPath &path)
	Attaches Function Set to the DAG Node that has the given DAG Path. More...
virtual MStatus	setObject (MObject &object)
	Attaches Function Set to given DAG Node. More...
MObject	model (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	This method is obsolete. More...
	MFnDagNode (const MObject &object, MStatus *ret=NULL)
	No script support. More...
virtual MStatus	setObject (const MObject &object)
	No script support. More...
Public Member Functions inherited from MFnDependencyNode
virtual	~MFnDependencyNode ()
	Destructor.
	MFnDependencyNode ()
	Default constructor.
	MFnDependencyNode (MObject &object, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Constructor. More...
MObject	create (const MTypeId &typeId, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new dependency node with the given type tag. More...
MObject	create (const MTypeId &typeId, const MString &name, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new dependency node with the given type tag. More...
MObject	create (const MString &type, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new dependency node with the given type. More...
MObject	create (const MString &type, const MString &name, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Creates a new dependency node with the given type. More...
MTypeId	typeId (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the type id of this node. More...
MString	typeName (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the type name of this node. More...
MString	name (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the name of this node. More...
MString	absoluteName (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the absolute name of this node. More...
MString	pluginName (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the name of the plug-in this MFnDependendencyNode was defined in. More...
MString	setName (const MString &name, bool createNamespace=false, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Sets the name of this node. More...
MUuid	uuid (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the node's UUID. More...
void	setUuid (const MUuid &uuid, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Sets the node's UUID. More...
MStatus	getConnections (MPlugArray &array) const
	Get all of the current connections to this node as an array of plugs. More...
unsigned int	attributeCount (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the number of attributes that this node has. More...
MObject	attribute (unsigned int index, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Finds the attribute of this node at the given index. More...
MObject	reorderedAttribute (unsigned int index, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Some nodes, such as the various animCurve nodes, require that their attributes be set in a specific order for proper operation. More...
MObject	attribute (const MString &attrName, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Finds the attribute of this node that has the given name. More...
MAttrClass	attributeClass (const MObject &attr, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the class (normal, dynamic, extension) of the specified attribute. More...
MStatus	getAffectedAttributes (const MObject &attr, MObjectArray &affectedAttributes) const
	Returns an array of attributes that are affected by the attribute passed in. More...
MStatus	getAffectedByAttributes (const MObject &attr, MObjectArray &affectedByAttributes) const
	Returns an array of attributes that affect the attribute passed in, attr. More...
MPlug	findPlug (const MObject &attr, bool wantNetworkedPlug, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Attempt to find a plug for the given attribute. More...
MPlug	findPlug (const MString &attrName, bool wantNetworkedPlug, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Attempt to find a plug for the given attribute. More...
MPlug	findPlug (const MObject &attr, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	This method is obsolete. More...
MPlug	findPlug (const MString &attrName, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	This method is obsolete. More...
MStatus	addAttribute (const MObject &attr)
	Add a new dynamic attibute to this node. More...
MStatus	removeAttribute (const MObject &attr)
	Remove a dynamic attribute from a node. More...
MPxNode *	userNode (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	If the function set's node is a plug-in node, then this method will extract the MPxNode pointer from it. More...
bool	isFromReferencedFile (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Indicates whether or not this node came from a referenced file. More...
bool	isShared (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Indicates whether or not this node is shared. More...
bool	isTrackingEdits (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns whether or not edits on the given node are being tracked by the generalized edit system. More...
bool	hasUniqueName (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Indicates whether or not this node's name is unique within the scene. More...
MString	parentNamespace (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the name of the namespace in which this node resides. More...
bool	isLocked (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Indicates whether or not this node is locked. More...
MStatus	setLocked (bool locked)
	Locks or unlocks this node. More...
bool	isNewAttribute (const MObject &attr, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Indicates whether or not the specified attribute was added to this node within the current scene. More...
MStatus	setFlag (unsigned int flag, bool state)
	Sets the state of the specified flag for the node. More...
bool	isFlagSet (unsigned int flag, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Retrieves the current state of the specified flag for a node. More...
bool	isDefaultNode (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns true if the node is a default node. More...
MStatus	setDoNotWrite (bool flag)
	Use this method to mark the "do not write" state of this node. More...
bool	canBeWritten (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the do not write state of the node. More...
bool	hasAttribute (const MString &name, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns true if the node already has an attribute with the given name. More...
MObject	getAliasAttr (bool force, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Returns the node's alias attribute, which is a special attribute used to store information about the node's attribute aliases. More...
bool	setAlias (const MString &alias, const MString &name, const MPlug &plug, bool add=true, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Sets or removes an alias (i.e. More...
bool	findAlias (const MString &alias, MObject &attrObj, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Retrieves the attribute with the given alias. More...
bool	getAliasList (MStringArray &strArray, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Returns a list of all attribute aliases for this node. More...
MString	plugsAlias (const MPlug &plug, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Returns the alias for the plug's attribute or the empty string if that attribute has no alias. More...
MStatus	setIcon (const MString &filename)
	Associates a custom icon with the node for display in the Maya UI. More...
MString	icon (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the custom icon filename associated with the node. More...
MStatus	getExternalContent (MExternalContentInfoTable &table) const
	Returns the external content (files) that this node depends on. More...
MStatus	addExternalContentForFileAttr (MExternalContentInfoTable &table, const MObject &attr) const
	Adds content info to the specified table from a file path attribute. More...
MStatus	setExternalContentForFileAttr (const MObject &attr, const MExternalContentLocationTable &table)
	Sets content info in the specified attribute from the table. More...
MStatus	setExternalContent (const MExternalContentLocationTable &table)
	Changes the location of external content. More...
MString	setName (const MString &name, MStatus *ReturnStatus)
	OBSOLETE FUNCTION, NO SCRIPT SUPPORT. More...
	MFnDependencyNode (const MObject &object, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	NO SCRIPT SUPPORT. More...
bool	getPlugsAlias (const MPlug &plug, MString &aliasName, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	NO SCRIPT SUPPORT. More...
virtual const adsk::Data::Associations *	metadata (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	This method is not available in Python. More...
virtual MStatus	setMetadata (const adsk::Data::Associations &)
	This method is not available in Python. More...
virtual MStatus	deleteMetadata ()
	This method is not available in Python. More...
virtual MStatus	validateMetadata (MString &errors) const
	This method is not available in Python. More...
MStatus	dgTimerOn ()
	Indicates that this node should collect DG timing data whenever DG timing is enabled. More...
MStatus	dgTimerOff ()
	Indicates that this node should no longer collect DG timing data when DG timing is enabled. More...
MdgTimerState	dgTimerQueryState (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	The function returns the current on/off state of the node's timer. More...
MStatus	dgTimerReset ()
	The function resets the dependency graph timers and counters for this node to zero. More...
double	dgTimer (const MdgTimerMetric timerMetric, const MdgTimerType timerType, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	The function returns the specified timer value for the current node. More...
MStatus	dgCallbacks (const MdgTimerType type, MStringArray &callbackName, MDoubleArray &value)
	Node callbacks that occur when timing is enabled get logged with the node and can be queried via this method. More...
MStatus	dgCallbackIds (const MdgTimerType type, const MString &callbackName, MCallbackIdArray &callbackId, MDoubleArray &value)
	This method provides a further breakdown of the per-callback time returned via dgCallbacks() by returning the data on a per-callbackId basis. More...
MStatus	addAttribute (const MObject &attr, MAttrClass type)
	This method is obsolete. More...
MStatus	removeAttribute (const MObject &attr, MAttrClass type)
	This method is obsolete. More...
Public Member Functions inherited from MFnBase
virtual	~MFnBase ()
	Class Destructor. More...
bool	hasObj (MFn::Type) const
	Determines whether or not the Function Set is compatible with the specified Maya Object within the API RTTI system. More...
bool	hasObj (const MObject &) const
	Determines whether or not the Function Set is compatible with the specified Maya Object within the API RTTI system. More...
MObject	object (MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL) const
	Returns the MObject that is attached to the Function Set. More...

Protected Member Functions
virtual const char *	className () const
	Class name.

Additional Inherited Members
Static Public Member Functions inherited from MFnDependencyNode
static MString	classification (const MString &nodeTypeName)
	Retrieves the classification string for a node type. More...
static unsigned int	allocateFlag (const MString pluginName, MStatus *ReturnStatus=NULL)
	Allocates a node flag for sole use by the caller. More...
static MStatus	deallocateFlag (const MString pluginName, unsigned int flag)
	Deallocates a node flag which was previously allocated by a call to allocateFlag. More...
static MStatus	deallocateAllFlags (const MString pluginName)
	Deallocates all of the node flags which are currently allocated to the specified plugin. More...
static void	enableDGTiming (bool enable)
	Globally enables or disables the DG node timing mechanism. More...
Static Public Member Functions inherited from MFnBase
static const char *	className ()
	Returns the name of this class. More...

Member Enumeration Documentation

enum RenderType

Ways in which particles can be rendered.

Enumerator
kCloud
kTube
kBlobby
kMultiPoint
kMultiStreak
kNumeric
kPoints
kSpheres
kSprites
kStreak

Constructor & Destructor Documentation

~MFnParticleSystem ( )

virtual

Destructor.

Class destructor.

MFnParticleSystem	(	MObject &	object,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)

Constructor.

Class constructor that initializes the function set to the given MObject.

Parameters

[in]	object	The MObject to attach the function set to
[out]	ReturnStatus	the return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess if the function set is successfully attached
• MS::kInvalidParameter if the MObject does not represent a valid Maya object or if the function set is not allowed to attach to this MObject

MFnParticleSystem	(	const MDagPath &	object,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)

Constructor.

Class constructor that initializes the function set to the given constant MDagPath object.

Parameters

[in]	object	The const MDagPath to attach the function set to
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess if the function set is successfully attached
• MS::kInvalidParameter if the MObject does not represent a valid Maya object or if the function set is not allowed to attach to this MObject

MFnParticleSystem	(	const MObject &	object,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)

Constructor.

Class constructor that initializes the function set to the given MObject.

Parameters

[in]	object	The MObject to attach the function set to
[out]	ReturnStatus	the return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess if the function set is successfully attached
• MS::kInvalidParameter if the MObject does not represent a valid Maya object or if the function set is not allowed to attach to this MObject

Member Function Documentation

MObject create

(

MStatus *

ReturnStatus = NULL

)

To create a new particleShape with a transform.

Parameters

[out]

ReturnStatus

Status code

Returns

The newly created particleShape

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess The method was successful.
• MS::kFailure An object error has occurred.

Examples:

MObject create	(	MObject	parentMObj,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)

To create a new particleShape.

If the parent is not specified, a new transform will be created as the parent.

Parameters

[in]	parentMObj	The parent as an MObject
[out]	ReturnStatus	Status code

Returns

The newly created particleShape

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess The method was successful.
• MS::kFailure An object error has occurred.

MStatus emit

(

const MPoint &

v

)

To add a new particle at the given position.

Parameters

[in]

v

The particle's position

Returns

Return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

Examples:

MStatus emit

(

const MPointArray &

pArray

)

To add an array of new particles at the given positions.

Parameters

[in]

pArray

The particle's position array

Returns

Return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

MStatus emit	(	const MPoint &	p,
		const MVector &	v
	)

To add a new particle at the position with its velocity.

Parameters

[in]	p	The particle's position
[in]	v	The particle's velocity

Returns

Return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

MStatus emit	(	const MPointArray &	pArray,
		const MVectorArray &	vArray
	)

To add an array of new particles at the given positions with their velocity values.

Parameters

[in]	pArray	The particle's position array
[in]	vArray	The particle's velocity array

Returns

Return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

MStatus saveInitialState

(

)

const

To reset the particle's current state as the initial state.

Returns

Return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

Examples:

void evaluateDynamics	(	MTime &	to,
		bool	runupFromStart
	)

Run up the particle system to a certain frame, from either the current frame, or from the start of the simulation.

Parameters

[in]	to	Time to run the particle system up to.
[in]	runupFromStart	If true runup will begin at the start of the simulation, otherwise it will begin from the current frame.

bool isValid

(

)

const

Returns false if the particle array is NULL.

Returns true otherwise.

void setCount

(

unsigned int

count

)

const

Set the particle count at the current frame.

Parameters

[in]

count

Particle count.

void position

(

MVectorArray &

positions

)

const

Compute each particle's position at the start of the time step.

This is done by taking the particle's current position and velocity, and extrapolation backwards in time.

NOTE: For an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube, use position0() and position1() instead.

void velocity

(

MVectorArray &

array

)

const

To return velocity array for all particles.

Parameters

[out]

array

The resulting velocity array

void acceleration

(

MVectorArray &

array

)

const

To return acceleration array for all particles.

Parameters

[out]

array

The resulting acceleration array

void position0

(

MVectorArray &

positions

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube.

Calculates particle start positions.

void position1

(

MVectorArray &

positions

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube.

Calculates particle end positions.

void radius

(

MDoubleArray &

radii

)

const

Calculates particle radii.

NOTE: For an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube, use position0() and position1() instead.

void radius0

(

MDoubleArray &

radii

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube.

Calculates the particles' start radii.

void radius1

(

MDoubleArray &

radii

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube.

Calculates the particles' end radii.

double surfaceShading

(

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud.

Returns the object surface shading value.

double threshold

(

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud or kBlobby.

Returns the object threshold.

bool betterIllum

(

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud.

Returns a boolean indicating whether or not thick cloud sampling is already enabled.

bool flatShaded

(

)

const

To check if a particle shape of cloud type is flat shaded.

This is only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud.

Returns

• true The particles are displayed as flat shaded discs
• false The particles are displayed as volumetric dics

bool disableCloudAxis

(

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kCloud.

Internal use for better illum.

NOTE: Internal use only. Do not call.

double tailSize

(

)

const

Only for use with an MFnParticleSystem of renderType kTube.

Returns the length scale factor.

void particleIds

(

MIntArray &

ids

)

const

Return an array of particle identifiers at the start of the time step.

The array of particle id's is correlated with the other per-particle arrays returned by this class, so ids[i] will be the id for the particle with position position[i], velocity[i], etc., as long as all these arrays were retrieved for the same time step.

The particle id is a constant identifier for an individual particle that does not change between time steps. The particle id can be used to follow the path of a single particle between frames. Only living particle identifiers are returned by this method.

Parameters

[out]

ids

Array of particle identifiers. The contents of the array are overwritten with the current list of particle identifiers.

void lifespan

(

MDoubleArray &

lifespans

)

const

Populates the given array with the lifespan values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute.

See hasLifespan().

void rgb

(

MVectorArray &

colors

)

const

Populates the given array with the color values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute.

See hasRgb().

For each particle, processes the internal representation into RGB color values, which are mapped to a vector.

void opacity

(

MDoubleArray &

opacities

)

const

Populates the given array with the opacity values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute.

See hasOpacity().

void mass

(

MDoubleArray &

array

)

const

To return mass array for all particles.

Parameters

[out]

array

The resulting mass array

void emission

(

MVectorArray &

emissions

)

const

Populates the given array with the incandescence values of the particles in this system, if the particles have this attribute.

See hasEmission().

bool hasLifespan

(

)

const

Returns whether or not the particles in this system have a lifespan attribute.

See lifespan().

bool hasRgb

(

)

const

Returns whether or not the particles in this system have an rgb attribute.

See rgb().

bool hasOpacity

(

)

const

Returns whether or not the particles in this system have an opacity attribute.

See opacity().

bool hasEmission

(

)

const

Returns whether or not the particles in this system have an emission attribute.

See emission().

unsigned int getPerParticleAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MIntArray &	array,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To get per particle integer attribute with its attribute name.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[out]	array	The returned integer array
[out]	ReturnStatus	The returned status

Returns

The size of the returned integer array

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

unsigned int getPerParticleAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MVectorArray &	array,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To get the per particle vector attribute of the given name.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[out]	array	The returned vector array
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Returns

The size of the returned vector array

unsigned int getPerParticleAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MDoubleArray &	array,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To get the per particle double attribute of the given name.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[out]	array	The returned double array
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Returns

The size of the returned double array

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

void setPerParticleAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MVectorArray &	array,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To set the per particle vector attribute of the given name with the given values.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[in]	array	The input vector array
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

void setPerParticleAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MDoubleArray &	array,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To set the per particle double attribute of the given name with the given values.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[in]	array	The input double array
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

bool isPerParticleIntAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To check if the input attribute is a per particle integer attribute.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

bool isPerParticleDoubleAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To check if the input attribute is a per particle double attribute.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

bool isPerParticleVectorAttribute	(	const MString &	attrName,
		MStatus *	ReturnStatus = NULL
	)		const

To check if the input attribute is a per particle vector attribute.

Parameters

[in]	attrName	The input attribute name
[out]	ReturnStatus	The return status

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess operation successful
• MS::kFailure operation fail

bool isDeformedParticleShape

(

MStatus *

ReturnStatus = NULL

)

const

To return if this particle shape is deformed.

Parameters

[out]

ReturnStatus

Status code

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess The method was successful.
• MS::kFailure An object error has occurred.

Returns

true particle shape is deformed, false otherwise.

MObject deformedParticleShape

(

MStatus *

ReturnStatus = NULL

)

const

To get the deformed particleShape.

Parameters

[out]

ReturnStatus

Status code

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess The method was successful.
• MS::kFailure An object error has occurred.

Returns

The particle shape connecting to the output of the deformer(s)

MObject originalParticleShape

(

MStatus *

ReturnStatus = NULL

)

const

To get the original particleShape.

Parameters

[out]

ReturnStatus

Status code

Status Codes:

• MS::kSuccess The method was successful.
• MS::kFailure An object error has occurred.

Returns

The particle shape connecting to the input of the deformer(s)

---

The documentation for this class was generated from the following files:

• MFnParticleSystem.h
• MFnParticleSystem.cpp