I'm currently working on particles right now for a school project, and I'm wondering what advantages does rendering particles as Sprites offer.

Anyone?

Hello,

I believe speed comes in first, sprites are definitely faster than simulating.

Tried a short exercise on using sprites, the only problem i have is not being able to make them move in a natural manner… look really CG-ish compared to other people's. Those guys may had layered different variations of sprite renders or had additional simulation to make it look better.

Just curious, what are you trying to do with sprite. Dust smoke?

eitht.

eitht
I believe speed comes in first, sprites are definitely faster than simulating.

It's not exactly a faster simulation. You must simulate your particles.
Sprite replace a particle by a texture, this texture is often animated, for example, simulate a lot of butterflies with only a simple animated texture and a few particles. It's like Particle Illusion software. And yes it's a good one for simulating dust if you don't need a good quality.

I'm simulating sparks for a rocket propulsion. Particles should be used right?

Ahhhh… Had the impression people always avoid performing e.g. smoke simulations if sprite was sufficient to get the look they want. ._.

I wonder if sprites can get nice details (smoke) for rocket propulsion! or must one simulate it…

A friend made sparks using particles before.


eitht.

amazingjay
I'm simulating sparks for a rocket propulsion. Particles should be used right?

For sure particles with animation on particles scale/rotation/velocity. There was a tutorial with this method, a flying dragon, but i can't remember the name of this tutorial, sorry.

I find another one just here:

http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=486&Itemid=263 [sidefx.com]

It seems to be what you are looking for.

definitely you could use sprites. much of stunning effects you have seen in movies have used this technique. As my experience I think you could use smoke solver to move sprites and use an animated texture to make them alive.