-
Particular Emitter Path. Helix/perfect rising circle/orbit and similar.
Hi,
I’ve been trying to get the emitter of my (Particular) particles to move with a helix path but so far without success. Yesterday I tried out the Orbit preset from Andrew Kramer but because of the expressions, I can’t seem to animate the Y axis so that the circle rises.
The Orbit preset only allows me to change the radius, speed and angle (I think. I’m at a PC right now without AE) and I’m not sure I could edit the expressions myself.
The aim is to have the particles orbit a person from bottom to top and keyframing this motion by hand is proving time-consuming and tricky.
I’d appreciate any help!
Miles
-
7 Replies
-
dave’s process is right on, except for the last step.
[Dave LaRonde] “Create your Particle layer. With an expression, pick-whip the emitter point to Null #2’s position point.”
unless something has changed from my version of particular, you’ll want to change the emitter type to ‘layer’ and choose ‘null #2’ as the layer to use, rather than pickwhipping the emitter position to the null.
in particular the emitter position controls are separated in xy position and z position, making it hard to pickwhip to another 3d layer’s position without using some layer space transforms… yuck.
Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW -
Hi,
Many thanks to both of you. It didn’t work the first time but changing the emitter type as suggested fixed it.
If you were both in Munich, I’d get a round of beers in!
Thanks again.
Miles
-
I’m not familiar with Salvator but will have a Maß beer for you when I’m out next time 🙂
-
Quick note… it is quite possible to use an expression to tie a null to particular.
If the null object is labeled “Emitter”, these are the expressions to use.For the xy position:
x = thisComp.layer(“Emitter”).transform.position[0];
y = thisComp.layer(“Emitter”).transform.position[1];
[x, y]For the z position:
z = thisComp.layer(“Emitter”).transform.position[3];
[x]Works for me every time, unless you are wanting to orient your particles (totally different story though).
-
Hi,
This is a very helpful thread!
Works well for me, but I have one issue… If you look at the attached image, you will note that the motion path created as suggested above is appearing with hard angles and not a smooth curve.In my case, I parented a light to Null 1, instead of using a 2nd null.
Any idea why my circles are harsh? Is there a way to refine?
Thanks!
Thanks,
Ari -
Particular>Emitter>Position Subframe>
select “10X linear”, work for most cases, there are further options of that doesn’t do it.
-
Worked perfectly! Thanks!
Thanks,
Ari
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up