[Mike Sev]

thank you.

I actually looked at the masking solution but here’s where I ran into trouble… I couldn’t figure out how to calculate how much the previous line of pixels had grown so that to move the next line up and make it seamless. maybe you know a way.

As for pixel bender, I had never heard of it but it looks amazing. I’m getting a cs4 trial right now.

mike.

[Mike Sev]

you can’t use actual 3d objects from maya or max, but you can fake it sometimes.

1. Make a new comp the size of your particle (ie:30×30) within your existing comp.

2. Within that comp make something 3d like two 2d layers intersecting each other, parent them to a 3d null object and rotate the null. You should now have a 3d looking object rotating

3. Go back out into your main comp, pick a custom particle in particular and select your new 30×30 comp as your particle.

You should now have a fake 3D particle emitting. you can make some cool stuff this way, but it won’t work for every project.

hope this helps.
mike.