Particle View

Particle View provides the main user interface for creating and modifying particle systems in Particle Flow. The main window, known as the event display, contains the particle diagram, which describes the particle system. A particle system consists of one or more events wired together, each of which contains a list of one or more operators and tests . Operators and tests are known collectively as actions.

• Select a Particle Flow source icon > Modify panel > Setup rollout > Click Particle View (or press 6).
• Create panel > (Geometry) > Particle Systems > Object Type rollout > PF Source button > Setup rollout > Click Particle View (or press 6).
• Alt menu: Objects menu > Particles > Particle View Editor
• Alt menu: Simulate menu > Create (Simulation Set) > Particle View

The first event is called the global event, because any operators it contains can affect the entire particle system. The global event always has the same name as the Particle Flow icon; by default, this is PF Source ## (starting with 01 and counting upward). Following this is the birth event, which must contain a Birth operator if the system is to generate particles. By default, the birth event contains this operator as well as several others that define the system's initial properties. You can add any number of subsequent events to a particle system; collectively, the birth event and additional events are called local events. They're called this because a local event's actions typically affect only particles currently in the event.

You use tests to determine when particles are eligible to leave the current event and enter a different one. To indicate where they should go next, you wire the test to another event. This wiring defines the schematic, or flow, of the particle system.

By default, the name of each operator and test in an event is followed by its most important setting or settings in parentheses. Above the event display is a menu bar, and below is the depot, containing all actions available for use in the particle system, as well as a selection of default particle systems.

1. Menu bar

2. Event display

3. Parameters panel

4. Depot

5. Description panel

6. Display tools

7. Navigator

Particle View comprises the following elements:

• The menu bar provides functions for editing, selection, adjusting the view, and analyzing the particle system.
• The event display contains the particle diagram, and provides functions for modifying the particle system.

  The event display Navigator lets you rapidly move about the particle diagram.

• The parameters panel contains rollouts for viewing and editing parameters of any selected actions. Basic functionality is identical to that of rollouts on the 3ds Max command panels, including usage of the right-click menu.

  To toggle display of the parameters panel, choose Display menu Parameters.

• The depot contains all Particle Flow actions, as well as several default particle systems. To see an item's description, click its entry in the depot. To use an item, drag it into the event display.

  The contents of the depot fall into three categories: operators, tests, and flows.

  To toggle display of the depot, choose Display menu Depot.

• The Description panel displays a brief description of the highlighted depot item.

  To toggle display of the description panel, choose Display menu Description.

• The icon-based display tools in the bottom-right corner of the Particle View dialog let you pan and zoom the event display window. For descriptions, see Display Menu (Particle View).