Particle Systems (2D)

Intro

A simple (but flexible enough for most uses) particle system is provided. Particle systems are used to simulate complex physical effects such as sparks, fire, magic particles, smoke, mist, magic, etc.

The idea is that a “particle” is emitted at a fixed interval and with a fixed lifetime. During its lifetime, every particle will have the same base behavior. What makes every particle different and provides a more organic look is the “randomness” associated to each parameter. In essence, creating a particle system means setting base physics parameters and then adding randomness to them.

Particles2D

Particle systems are added to the scene via the Particles2D node. However, after creating that node you will notice that only a white dot was created, and that there is a warning icon next to your Particles2D node in the inspector. This is because the node needs a ParticlesMaterial to function.

ParticlesMaterial

To add a process material to your particles node, go to Process Material in your inspector panel. Click on the box next to material, and from the dropdown menu select New Particles Material.

../../_images/particles_material.png

Your Particles2D node should now be emitting white points downward.

../../_images/particles1.png

Texture

A particle system uses a single texture (in the future this might be extended to animated textures via spritesheet). The texture is set via the relevant texture property:

../../_images/particles2.png

Time Parameters

Lifetime

The time in seconds that every particle will stay alive. When lifetime ends, a new particle is created to replace it.

Lifetime: 0.5

../../_images/paranim14.gif

Lifetime: 4.0

../../_images/paranim15.gif

One Shot

When enabled, a Particles2D node will emit all of its particles once and then never again.

Preprocess

Particle systems begin with zero particles emitted, then start emitting. This can be an inconvenience when loading a scene and systems like a torch, mist, etc. begin emitting the moment you enter. Preprocess is used to let the system process a given number of seconds before it is actually drawn the first time.

Speed Scale

The speed scale has a default value of 1 and is used to adjust the speed of a particle system. Lowering the value will make the particles slower while increasing the value will make the particles much faster.

Explosiveness

If lifetime is 1 and there are 10 particles, it means a particle will be emitted every 0.1 seconds. The explosiveness parameter changes this, and forces particles to be emitted all together. Ranges are:

  • 0: Emit particles at regular intervals (default value).
  • 1: Emit all particles simultaneously.

Values in the middle are also allowed. This feature is useful for creating explosions or sudden bursts of particles:

../../_images/paranim18.gif

Randomness

All physics parameters can be randomized. Random values range from 0 to 1. The formula to randomize a parameter is:

initial_value = param_value + param_value * randomness

Fixed FPS

This setting can be used to set the particle system to render at a fixed FPS. For instance, changing the value to 2 will make the particles render at 2 frames per second. Note this does not slow down the particle system itself.

Fract Delta

This can be used to turn Fract Delta on or off.

Drawing Parameters

Visibility Rect

The W and H values control width and height of the visibility rectangle. The X and Y values control the position of the upper-left corner of the visibility rectangle relative to the particle emitter.

Local Coords

By default this option is on, and it means that the space that particles are emitted to is relative to the node. If the node is moved, all particles are moved with it:

../../_images/paranim20.gif

If disabled, particles will emit to global space, meaning that if the node is moved, already emitted particles are not affected:

../../_images/paranim21.gif

Draw Order

This controls the order in which individual particles are drawn. Index means particles are drawn according to their emission order (default). Lifetime means they are drawn in order of remaining lifetime.

ParticlesMaterial settings

Direction

This is the base angle at which particles emit. Default is 0 (down):

../../_images/paranim1.gif

Changing it will change the emissor direction, but gravity will still affect them:

../../_images/paranim2.gif

This parameter is useful because, by rotating the node, gravity will also be rotated. Changing direction allows them to be separated.

Spread

This parameter is the angle in degrees which will be randomly added in either direction to the base Direction. A spread of 180 will emit in all directions (+/- 180).

../../_images/paranim3.gif

Gravity

The gravity applied to every particle.

../../_images/paranim7.gif

Initial Velocity

Linear velocity is the speed at which particles will be emitted (in pixels/sec). Speed might later be modified by gravity or other accelerations (as described further below).

../../_images/paranim4.gif

Angular Velocity

Angular velocity is the initial angular velocity applied to particles.

Spin Velocity

Spin velocity is the speed at which particles turn around their center (in degrees/sec).

../../_images/paranim5.gif

Orbit Velocity

Orbit velocity is used to make particles turn around their center.

../../_images/paranim6.gif

Linear Acceleration

The linear acceleration applied to each particle.

Radial Acceleration

If this acceleration is positive, particles are accelerated away from the center. If negative, they are absorbed towards it.

../../_images/paranim8.gif

Tangential Acceleration

This acceleration will use the tangent vector to the center. Combining with radial acceleration can do nice effects.

../../_images/paranim9.gif

Damping

Damping applies friction to the particles, forcing them to stop. It is especially useful for sparks or explosions, which usually begin with a high linear velocity and then stop as they fade.

../../_images/paranim10.gif

Angle

Determines the initial angle of the particle (in degress). This parameter is mostly useful randomized.

../../_images/paranim11.gif

Scale

Determines the initial scale of the particles.

../../_images/paranim12.gif

Color

Used to change the color of the particles being emitted.

Hue variation

The Variation value sets the initial hue variation applied to each particle. The Variation Rand value controls the hue variation randomness ratio.