Okay I found this really cool design that a guy did on vimeo using x-particles. I do not have xparticles and can’t afford it. So I am trying to wrap my head around this project that he broke down. https://vimeo.com/165437542. I can get the particles from the null to attach to a sphere but they attach as basically a straight line. I can’t figure out how to get them to bend in from the null. also seeing this video is this something that can even be done with just cinemas thinking particles or am I wasting time trying to break this down and learn?
Perhaps you focus too much on particles and too little of the information you have already created. Mess with it!
For example, use an additional sphere as well (or more) to have more streams of the initial particles, so you can “paint” more with the sphere (see file).
Please explore the ideas of the attached file, and I hope it comes closer to what you like to have.
Wow okay… I didn’t know you could use deformers to move the tracers! That does definitely make sense though.
This is almost what I am after. Last thing I was wondering. is there a way that when the starting particles hit the sphere they then just start moving around the sphere attached to the surface kind of like if rain was to roll down the side.
I thought about using psurface position, but wouldn’t know how to make them roll around on different objects.
It was a request for a “crowd simulation” in 2008 and I guess you will find some pointers how to do it. (You might specify an Y value when they just drop down.)
P.S.: To focus only on an object to move particles around might be one option, but to guide the particles from the start is certainly a more interactive option.
The simple idea was taken from a file I had share roughly a decade ago as well. The age of the particle is used to determine a position of the spline. IF now two splines are in the scene and the results are mixed based on the ID of the Particles, we can already create a huge amount of individual position values over time.
Take this one step further and introduce an ID based Spline Interface, to add perhaps to the Y value as in the example above: It certainly helps to shape parts of a sphere for example.
All in all, it allows for a continues flow and adjustment, even the Spline Interface can be animated over time.
The idea to set this file up was based on the hope that you will explore it and find perhaps new ideas in this “brainstorming” for your exploration and work.
I googled what we have discussed so far here, and Cody Sorgenfrey suggested to use the “Dynamic Proximity Node” for this kind of work. So I played around with it this morning and here is an example where you can move a Null and the particles try to follow.
Note that the effect is dependent on the Mix value (click on the XPresso Tag to access it).
BTW.: set up the interpolation in the Tracer, to keep it fast while recording in UHD the screen capture, I left it on linear and no intermediate points.
I like how that works! That is pretty nice and close to what I want. I can probably make this work. But before I do, I guess I am wondering if there is a way to keep the TP on the actual surface of the object and have it just randomly move around the surface without moving anything myself. Or is that something that would be like a python script?
To just move the Null (from the P.S.2) seems already too much work (and record it, as shown, with Cappucino), tehehe: Place a Vibrate Tag on that Null and set the parameters. Done.
The example that I found from Cody Sorgenfrey suggested this Xpresso Tag: https://github.com/CreativeTools/ct-curl-noise
Use it on your own risk! I’m pretty picky with “downloads and installations”, so I haven’t tried it.
Play with everything you have and experiment with the parameters. The idea of just plugin something in might stop your development and your creative reach.
E.g., try to use falloffs to change the direction of the particles, use several. How about Wind to change things, as shown…
I certainly know how overwhelming this can be, but just continue to do your “Research&Development;” and soon you will love the playfulness you can have with it.
Wow! That’s amazing… I think this may work! I know nothing of COFFEE. I appreciate it and I think this could possibly help others. Thanks for all you do!
You’re welcome. Please test this carefully, as the Dynamics Proximity has some limitations when it comes to more complex shapes. Think of an Sphere as the ideal, a snake like knot as not ideal at all.
The “Nodes” with the C.O.F.F.E.E. script are taken from the XPool (XPresso Editor) and there from the System Presents. Great little helpers. They are more or less less explained in the node itself, sometimes not at all. Please note that I have connected the InMatrix here, but it has no further influence. I have tested it and obviously the node uses it internally, basically to not have the need to write a Matrix on their own, it takes it from the input.
