Uses a metaball to attract or repel particles or springs.
This node adds force attributes to a metaball field which make the field attract or repel particles or springs created by the Spring node.
In general, force values greater than 0 cause points to be attracted, less than 0 cause points to be repelled.
You can use this node in conjunction with a Particle SOP to create natural particle simulations of whirlwinds, tornadoes, water swirling down a drain, and so on.
Tip
To view the metaball field of influence, turn on the hulls display of the input metaball/s object/s. Both the Particle SOP and Spring SOP will display these hulls as guide geometry.
Tip
Adjust the weights of the metaball inputs to increase or decrease the field effect within the metaball field of influence.
Tip
In general, it is a good idea to try and keep the scale of forces and force fields to a smaller rather than a larger scale. This tends to make particle movement and attraction more manageable and realistic.
Parameters
Radial Force
| Overview | Triggers force to radius of metaball field. |
| Force | Controls the strength of the radial force. |
Directional Force
| Overview | Allows control of force attributes. |
| Direction | Primary axis of metaball field. |
| Axial Force | Force along primary axis of field. |
| Vortex Force | Amount of twist around primary axis. |
| Spiral Force | Attraction force perpendicular to axis. |
Inputs
| Input 1 | This node only accepts metaballs. Connecting a non-metaball SOP has no effect. |
Examples
| ForceBasic | Load | Launch |
This example file uses the Force SOP in conjunction with Metaball SOPs and Particle SOPs to create dynamic animations. Using the Radial Force Parameter of the Force SOP, particles are puffed in and out. Then, using the Directional Force Parameter, a rotating vortex is created as a metaball spins around an axis. Press play to view the animation. | |
Examples that use this node
| Example for | Example name | |
|---|---|---|
| Stream | SparksStream | Load | Launch |
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| Particle | ParticleAttractor | Load | Launch |
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| Particle | ParticleDisturbance | Load | Launch |
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| Particle | ParticleExamples | Load | Launch |
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| Particle | ParticlePusher | Load | Launch |
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| Spring | SpringHair | Load | Launch |
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