POmniFlect Space Warp

POmniFlect is a planar version of the omniflector type of space warp. It provides enhanced functionality over that found in the original Deflector space warp, including refraction and spawning capabilities.

POmniFlect viewport icon

Procedures

To create a POmniFlect space warp:

  1. On the Create panel, click (Space Warps). Choose Deflectors from the list, then on the Object Type rollout, click POmniFlect.
  2. Drag in a viewport to create the planar icon.
    Note: Because particles bounce off the icon, the size of the icon affects particle deflection.
  3. Apply the deflector to the particle system using the appropriate method:
  4. Position the POmniFlect icon to interrupt the particle stream.
  5. Adjust the POmniFlect parameters as necessary.

Interface

Timing group

The two spinners specify the start frame and end frame of the deflection effect.

Time On/Off

Time On specifies the frame at which the deflection begins, and Time Off specifies the frame at which the deflection ends.

Reflection group

These options affect the reflection of particles from the space warp. The POmniFlect can reflect or refract particles, or perform a combination of the two.

Reflects
Specifies the percentage of particles to be reflected by the POmniFlect. See also Refracts, later in this topic, for methods of combining the two effects.
Bounce
This is a multiplier that specifies how much of the initial speed of the particle is maintained after collision with the POmniFlect. Using the default setting of 1.0 causes the particle to rebound with the same speed as it collides. A real-world effect would usually be less than 1.0. For a “flubber” effect, set greater than 1.0.
Variation
Specifies the variation of Bounce applied to the range of particles. For example, a Variation of 50% applied to a Bounce setting of 1.0 would result in randomly applied Bounce values ranging from 0.5 to 1.5.
Chaos
Applies a random variation to the bounce angle. When set to 0.0 (no chaos), all particles bounce off the POmniFlect surface perfectly (like banking pool balls). A nonzero setting causes the deflected particles to scatter.

Refraction group

These settings are similar to those in the Reflection group, but these affect the refraction of particles as they pass through the POmniFlect, causing the direction of the particles to change.

Refracts
Specifies the percentage of particles not already reflected that will be refracted by the POmniFlect.
Note: The Refracts value affects only those particles not already reflected because the reflected particles are processed before the refracted particles. Thus, if you set Reflects to 50% and Refracts to 50%, you would not get a 50/50 split of particles. Rather, half the particles would be reflected, and then half the remainder (25% of the total) would be refracted. The remaining particles either pass through without being refracted or are passed on to Spawn Effects.

To get a 50/50 split of reflection and refraction, set Reflects to 50% and Refracts to 100%.

Pass Vel
Specifies how much of a particle’s initial speed is maintained after passing through the POmniFlect. The default setting of 1 retains the initial speed is retained, so there’s no change. A setting of 0.5 reduces the speed by half.
Variation
Specifies the variation of Pass Velocity applied to the range of particles.
Distortion
Controls the angle of refraction. A value of 0 means there’s no refraction. A value of 100% sets the angle of the particles to be parallel with the POmniFlect surface. A value of −100% sets the angle perpendicular to the surface. The Distortion effect is reversed when particles strike the POmniFlect from the back side.
Note: Distortion and Refraction do not work properly when particles strike the POmniFlect surface at exactly 90 degrees. In this case, any positive Distortion settings cause a scattering of particles, while negative values have no effect.
Variation
Specifies a range of variation of the Distortion effect.
Diffusion
Applies a diffusion effect to the refraction by randomly modifying each particle’s Distortion angle by the Diffusion angle. This effectively scatters the particles into a hollow cone.
Variation
Specifies a range of variation of the Diffusion value.

Common group

Friction
The amount by which particles are slowed as they move along the deflector surface. A value of 0% means they're not slowed at all. A value of 50% means they're slowed to half their original speed. A value of 100% means they stop moving when they strike the surface. Default=0%. Range=0% to 100%.
Tip: To have particles slide along a deflector surface, set Bounce to 0. Also, unless influenced by a force such as Wind or Gravity, particles meant to slide should strike the surface at an angle other than 90 degrees.
Inherit Vel
(Velocity Inheritance) Determines how much of a moving POmniFlect’s speed is applied to reflected or refracted particles.

For example, if Inherit Vel is 1.0, particles with no motion that are hit by a moving POmniFlect inherit the speed of the POmniFlect at the point of collision.

Spawn Effects Only group

These settings affect only particles set to Spawn On Collision that do not either reflect or refract from the omniflector. The Spawns percentage spinner works like the Reflects and Refracts percentage spinners, but is the third in line to be processed. Thus, if either Reflects or Refracts are set to 100%, no particles are affected by these settings. Note also that reflective or refractive particles spawn upon collision, regardless of the settings in this group.

Spawns
Specifies the percentage of particles that can use spawn effects.
Pass Vel
Specifies how much of the particle’s initial speed is maintained after passing through the POmniFlect.
Variation
Specifies the variation of the Pass Velocity setting applied to the range of particles.

Display Icon group

Width/Height
Specify the width and height of the POmniFlect icon. This is for display purposes only and does not influence the deflector effect.
Parent topic: Deflectors