Particular custom particles not cooperating - Adobe After Effects

Have you tried precomping the source layer, with the time stretch in the precomp, not the main comp?

The size should be easily controllable with the "Size Over Life" graph. Remember that the graph will dictate the variance in size of each particle over it's life. The "Size" parameter only affects the particle at it's moment of birth, regardless of whether you animate the parameter or not.

Andrew,

Ah, yes, you are right. Fooled by the fact that parameter has a stopwatch, which is useless! I'll check out the graph, but in the meantime, I got some pretty cool effects animating the wind and spin amplitude, very lifelike behavior.

On the speed change of the particles, it was just easier to re-render with a different wing speed, but I think you are right about pre-comping.

Thanks!

how do i creat particles with particle playground in after effects 7(or is there such a thing in 7) anyways i would like to know because it is not showing up under the effects dropdown and in simulation.
Please help me! thank you.

Morgan,

We are talking about Particular here, not Particle Playground, which is, I believe a Pro feature, and one of the worst effects in the package. Do yourself a favor and buy Particular, it is the best. I believe Red Giant is selling it now.

have pro though

oh sorry

<Andrew_Yoole@adobeforums.com> wrote in message
news:3bc31a0c.0@webcrossing.la2eafNXanI...
> Have you tried precomping the source layer, with the time stretch in the
> precomp, not the main comp?
>
> The size should be easily controllable with the "Size Over Life" graph.
> Remember that the graph will dictate the variance in size of each particle
> over it's life. The "Size" parameter only affects the particle at it's
> moment of birth, regardless of whether you animate the parameter or not.

What is pre-comping? Sorry to hijack the thread, but this term I have hear a
few times...

Chris,

No need to bad-mouth Particle Playground, it's very powerful, but I agree that I reach for Trapcode Particular since it is so much easier to use. :-)

- Jonas Hummelstrand
<http://generalspecialist.com/>

Don't forget there are several other good particle engines in the Cycore FX bundle, which is included on your AE7 installation disc. CC Particle World is a good place to start.