Source particle node

Emit particles from each point in the source geometry, in order. Primitives (for example, primitive sphere) have only one point from which to emit particles.

Same as “Points (ordered)”, but emits particles from points in random order. This order does not change over time: the same randomized sequence repeats over and over.

Birth particles from the center of each primitive in the source geometry, in order. This is useful when used in combination with the Rotate to Template parameter in the Primitive SOP.

Same as “Prim center (ordered)”, but emits particles from primitive centers in random order. This order does not change over time: the same randomized sequence repeats over and over.

Use the attribute named in the Distribution Attribute parameter below as the probability that a primitive will emit a particle.

Primitives where the attributes is less than or equal to 0 will not emit particles.

For primitives where the attributes is over 0, for each particle to be emit, the probability that a primitive will emit it is equal to that primitive’s attribute value divided by the sum of the attribute values of all the primitives.

You use the Measure SOP to create an attribute on primitives that records the surface area, then use that attribute here so primitives with greater surface area emit particles more often.

Emit particles from each spline/polygon edge in the source geometry, in order. The birth points are along continuous intervals on the curve, not just from CVs or points.

Same as “Edges (ordered)”, but emits particles from edges in random order. This order does not change over time: the same randomized sequence repeats over and over.

See “Prim center (attribute)” above.

Emit particles from each UV spline surface or mesh type in the source geometry, in order. If there is no surface but only a spline curve, then emit particles from the curve. For polygons are used, only emits particles from the polygon edges.

Same as “Surfaces (ordered)”, but emits particles from surfaces in random order. This order does not change over time: the same randomized sequence repeats over and over.

See “Prim center (attribute)” above.

Emit particles from inside the volume of the source geometry. The behavior is undefined if the source geometry is not closed.

Emit particles from inside the volume of a metaball, according to the Density Threshold and Density Minimum parameters below.

Use the SOP specified in the SOP parameter below.

Use the SOP connected to the POP network’s first input.

Use the SOP connected to the POP network’s second input.

Use the SOP connected to the POP network’s third input.

Use the SOP connected to the POP network’s fourth input.

Use the inherited velocity attribute as the initial velocity of the particles.

Add the inherited velocity attribute to the values from the Velocity and Variance parameters below.

Set the initial value of the velocity attribute using the Velocity and Variance parameters below.

Set the origin to the value of the Origin index parameter below.

Sets the hit ID to the value of the Origin index parameter, added to the number of the geometry operator the particle was emitted from.

Typically, you would use large steps for the Origin index parameter (hundreds or thousands) so you can still distinguish different origins after the geometry number is added.

For example, you could have two Source POPs with origin index settings of 100 and 200. When the Source POP adds the geometry number to the origin index, you would get origins like 101, 102, 205, 210, and so on. As long as there is no geometry number larger than 99, you can still distinguish the different POPs.