Changing the Emitter Shape

You can switch from one emitter shape to another after adding the emitter object to the clip.

Note: Emitter shape is not the same as the shape image used by a particle type. For information on changing the particle shape, see Working with Particle Shapes.

To switch an emitter object's shape:

1. Select the emitter object in the Workspace panel.
2. On the Particle Controls panel, click Emitter to show the Emitter controls.
3. Select a shape from the Shape list.

The emitter in the viewport changes shape. Some transforms are affected depending on the original shape and the shape you selected. The pivot point remains in the same place.

When you change a point emitter to a line emitter, two control points are added on either side. If you change a point or line emitter to an area or circle emitter, X Size and Y Size are set to defaults and become available.

Line and circle emitters create particles all along their length instead of at a single point, and area emitters create particles throughout their area.

Note: You can also set the particles to emit from discrete points along the emitter. See Emission Options.

If you change a point emitter to a circle emitter, it creates many more particles, so lower the number of points (At Points value) or the emitter Number property.

About Line Emitters

The Points folder (in the Timeline list) holds each of the line points for a line emitter. The points are simply designated by number. Clicking on one of the points in the Timeline selects that point in the viewport. You can also select points by clicking on them in the viewport. For each point, there are X and Y Position channels.

The Particles operator adjusts the number of particles on a line emitter based on the length of the line. Thus, short line emitters emit fewer particles than long ones.

In fact, if the line emitter is made very short—almost a point emitter—it is possible that no particles will be emitted. Likewise, very long line emitters may emit too many particles. Therefore, you may need to adjust the emitter Number property.

About Circle Emitters

A circle emitter can be elliptical (oval shaped) or circular. The number of particles that a circle emitter creates is based on the size of the circle. Small circles may emit too few particles, and large circles may emit too many. Use the emitter's Number property to compensate.

About Area Emitters

Area emitters are rectangular, and particles are created everywhere within the rectangle (unless At Points is enabled).