The Particle Cloud item generates a randomized array of single vertices. Points won't render by themselves, however, they can be used as a point source for a variety of items, such as for Blobs, Sprites and Volumes, or when working with Replicators. Animation can be added to the particles within the cloud by adding gradient controls over times (keyframes) with the 'Scattering' function.
Adding a Particle Cloud
Users can add a Particle Cloud item simply by using the 'Add Item' function of the Items List. LMB+click on the button to open the menu, then select the "Particles > Particle Cloud" option. Once added, users can then specify the item from the 'Point Source', or 'Particle Source' options from within the appropriate properties panel of the related function.
Name: This data field displays the current item name. Users may easily change it by LMB-clicking within the field and typing the new name.
Transform--
Position: An Item transform that allows the user to numerically position the item in XYZ space.
Rotation: An Item transform that allows the user to numerically set the rotation of the item. Rotation transforms originate from the Position value.
Order: Allows the user to set the order that rotations are applied to the camera item. Changing the order that rotations are applied can sometimes help to reduce or eliminate gimbal lock.
Scale: An Item transform that allows the user to numerically set the size of the item. Scale transforms originate from the Position value.
Reset: Resets the selected transform values to (0,0,0) returning the items back to their default state.
Zero: Resets the chosen transform property values to '0', leaving the 'Center' position and Mesh position intact. This is done by adding a negative transform item to the Mesh items channels.
Add: The 'Add' function will add the selected set of transforms to the channel list. Useful when animating complex motions, providing a layered approach to the transforms.
Particle Cloud--
Shape: Determines the overall shape of the containing volume for the particles, either a 'Sphere', 'Cube' or 'Cylinder'.
Dimension: Determines the size of the volume as a radius, so a 500mm Dimension would produce a 1m wide container volume for the particles.
Height: When the 'Cylinder' option is selected, the 'Height' value determines the overall length of the cylinder shape.
Random Seed: The 'Random Seed' value is the initial number used when generating the random procedural values. Each Seed will produce different random results.
Max Particles: Determines the maximum number of total particles generated within the volume.
Minimum Distance: Determines the minimum amount of distance between two particles within the volume.
Scattering: The 'Scattering' option is provided to allow for simple animation of the particles. When enabled each individual particle is scattered in a random direction, based on the 'Scattering Direction' and 'Scattering Variance' values. In order to see any changes in the 3D viewports, it will be necessary to keyframe some values using the 'Edit Gradients' option.
Scattering Direction: The 'Scattering Direction' option provides some additional control of the overall random distribution of the particles.
Scattering Variance: The 'Scattering Variance' option controls how much variation there is in distance when the particles are scattered. Higher values will move some particles further from the volume than others, while smaller values will tend to scatter particles in more uniform distances.
Edit Gradients: Pressing the Edit Gradients button will open a Gradient Editor window, allowing users to set up gradient controllers for Particle density within the cloud as well as the Scattering Distance.
GL Display: Toggles the visibility of the 3D viewport proxy representation. Enabled (visible) by default.
