Linking Particles and 3D Models

This page uses sample data to describe basic settings for linking particles.

Particle link is a linking feature for generating particle effects and making them track any node of a 3D model.

Particle link is set on the particle link Properties panel of CreativeStudio.

Caution:
Particles can be linked only on CreativeStudio.
There is no support for binary output or previewing using Viewer.

Loading sample data

Use CreativeStudio to load the ToyMobile sample data prepared in the following folder.

Caution:
Unlike other intermediate files, load the particle link intermediate file by selecting File > Open > Particle link.

Loading Models and Effects

Load the sample data by selecting File > Open > Intermediate file on the CreativeStudio menu

Intermediate files Location
Rocket and stars model " %NW4C_ROOT%/SampleData/Graphics/Intermediate/ManualResource/TutorialToyMobile/ToyMobile.cres "
Fire and smoke effects " %NW4C_ROOT%/SampleData/Graphics/Intermediate/ManualResource/TutorialToyMobile/ToyMobileEffect.cres "

Loading particle links (action)

Load a particle link by selecting File > Open > Particle link on the CreativeStudio menu

Intermediate files Location
Particle link data " %NW4C_ROOT%/SampleData/Graphics/Intermediate/ManualResource/TutorialToyMobile/ToyMobileAction.cact "

When the intermediate files are loaded as described above, a particle link that causes a smoke effect to track a 3D model with applied skeletal animation and a flame effect are displayed.

Action Image 01

Since ToyMobile uses a 200-frame animation, change the playback time on the timeline panel to 200.

Action Image 02

Animations have been created for the 3D model and effects (fire/smoke) of ToyMobile.

Using particle link makes it possible to link each separate model and effect to express a single scene.

Particle Link Settings

This section describes settings for making the fire effect track the rocket by actually using the particle link Properties panel.

Checking Settings on the Particle Link Properties Panel

Select Action1 displayed in the Contents panel to open the particle link Properties panel.

For details on the particle link Properties panel, click Here.

Action Image 03

A particle link for the smoke effect has been set for ToyMobile.

Action Image 04

The model to be linked with is ToyMobile and settings on the Smoke tab represent link settings for the smoke effect.

The above settings cause the smoke effect to track ToyMobile when it is animated.

Creating a New Particle Link

Here, we will create a new particle link that causes the fire effect to track ToyMobile.

Press the Add button on the particle link Properties panel.

Pressing the Add button displays a Track0 tab for setting a new particle link.

Action Image 05

The Track0 tab name can be changed freely.

Here, the tab name is changed to Fire.

Action Image 06

When the name is changed, the tab name also changes automatically.

You can link the fire effect to ToyMobile using this Fire tab.

Settings for the particle to be linked

The playback time and model to be linked with are set on the created Fire tab.

The playback time referred to here is the playback time of the particle link linking the model and the effects.

In this case, use 200 frames to match the number of frames of the skeletal animation applied to the ToyMobile 3D model.

The model to be linked with remains Toy_Mobile.

Action Image 07

Select the model to be linked with from the pull-down menu when there is more than one linkable model.

Under Particles, select the particle to be made to track Toy_Mobile.

Open the pull-down menu to display particles that can be linked to the model.

Action Image 08

SmokeEmitter (the smoke effect) has already been linked, so select MobileFireEmitter.

Set the frame at which to start playback of the tracking particle.

Action Image 09

Set Frame 0 here, because the particle should start tracking the model at the same time that Toy_Mobile animation starts.

The effect is not displayed if a start frame occurring after the playback time of the particle link is set.

Select the Continue until action stops checkbox.

The Playback time set here is different from the particle link playback time because it represents the time that a particle is played back.

Action Image 10

This setting sets continuous effect tracking until the particle link playback time is reached.

Sample Setting: You can create a particle link where the effect tracks the model for only 100 frames starting from the start frame by setting the playback time to 100 frames.

Constraints settings

Under Constraints, you can set the tracking method and type of particle to be linked using particle link.

Select the Enable checkbox when setting Constraints.

For ToyMobile, select the radio button for the particle emitter, because a particle emitter is being linked.

Action Image 11

Set Bone to link with and Options.

Select the node of the model that particles are to track for the bone to be linked.

Open the pull-down window to display all nodes of the model for which particles can be set.

Action Image 12

Here, the link is made to the RocketNozzle node.

Under Options, you can set whether the particle should track the scale and rotate (SR) or the translate (T) motion of the model.

Action Image 13

Select the T checkbox for Toy_Mobile.

You can confirm that the fire effect tracks the rocket by playing the animation on the CreativeStudio Control panel.

Action Image 14

Using particle link allows you to create and confirm links between models and effects under CreativeStudio.


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