3ds Max 2011: Particle Effects

In 3ds Max 2011: Particle Effects, Steve Nelle shows how to create a wide variety of particle special effects including smoke, water, and explosions. The course provides a detailed explanation of both event and non-event particle systems in 3ds Max, in addition to addressing the importance of a particle's material, the use of Space Warps and Deflectors, and creating fluid effects using MetaParticles. Six start-to-finish projects are also included in the course, which show practical techniques for creating ocean water for underwater scenes, mudslides, and more. Exercise files accompany the course.

Topics include:
Controlling particle timing, quantity, and rotation
Comparing particle system types, such as PArray, Super Spray, and more
Using instanced particles to customize a particle's shape
Understanding how to set up a particle flow
Wiring PFlow operators and tests to change particle behavior
Creating realistic-looking particles using maps
Adding Gravity and Wind
Using Space Warps like Vortex, Motor, and PBomb
Making particles follow a path
Spawning particles
Creating realistic smoke

0. Introduction
Welcome 01:01
How to use this course 01:04
Using the exercise files 01:23
1. Introduction to Particle Systems
Understanding particle systems 02:23
Comparing event-driven and non-event-driven systems 02:58
Controlling particle timing and quantity 04:42
Adjusting particle size and speed 02:55
Making particles rotate 02:36
Exploring standard particle types 02:45
Using metaparticles for fluid-type effects 05:57
Using a scene object as a particle 06:23
Understanding rendering and viewport redrawing 04:17
2. Particle System Types
Spray 06:04
Snow 05:16
Blizzard 03:25
PArray 12:43
PCloud 07:30
Super Spray 08:57
3. Introduction to Particle Flow
Understanding particle flow 01:58
Navigating the Particle view 05:47
Working with operators 03:43
Adding a test to an event 04:11
Wiring events to change a particle's behavior 06:13
Adjusting particle flow settings 06:40
4. Special Material and Rendering Considerations
Understanding material 04:50
Setting map options and particle edge blending 05:53
Changing particle appearance with age maps 10:52
Blurring moving particles with the MBlur map 06:13
Blurring particles 08:16
Outputting a render for compositing 04:30
5. Introduction to Space Warps
Understanding space warps 02:59
Using Bind to Space Warp 05:43
Adding Gravity to an effect 04:47
Adding Wind to an effect 04:24
Rotating particles with Motor space warp 04:43
Creating swirling effects with Vortex space warp 03:45
Blowing things up with Bomb space warp 04:15
Blowing things up with PBomb space warp 04:42
Making particles follow a path 04:03
Creating wave effects 04:00
Creating ripples 03:53
Deflecting particles off surfaces 08:04
Spawning particles 03:41
6. Project: Creating Smoldering Cigarette Smoke
Creating a Super Spray particle system for the smoke 02:52
Adding wind 03:09
Dampening the particle movement 03:25
Adjusting the wind settings for realistic smoke movement 02:56
Creating more realistic-looking smoke 03:16
7. Project: Creating Ocean Water
Creating the geometry and camera 04:39
Adding the background 03:52
Creating water movement 06:07
Creating the animated material for the water 07:29
8. Project: Creating Fountain Water
Creating Super Spray water particles 09:26
Adding gravity 02:24
Creating the fountain water material 05:30
Constructing the particle water material 03:01
Making final adjustments 05:17
9. Project: Creating a Mudslide Using MetaParticles
Creating the geometry 03:41
Adding the mudslide particle system 05:46
Binding a Gravity space warp to the particles 02:41
Adding the Deflector space warp 04:07
Creating the materials for the scene 03:03
Making final adjustments 05:25
10. Project: Exploding a Wooden Shack
Scoping out the project 00:59
Creating the explosive devices 03:11
Adjusting the explosion settings 04:03
Setting up the shack's visibility track 03:22
Creating the fire effect 03:27
Adding a bright explosion glow and wrapping things up 06:50
11. Project: Turning Water into Steam Using Particle Flow
Scoping out the project 01:06
Creating and positioning the particle flow system 02:09
Reviewing the PFlow events 02:26
Building the water drop geometry 02:37
Creating the water drop material 04:06
Adjusting the PFlow settings 04:38
Adding the Collision Spawn Test and deflector 04:18
Turning the drops into steam 02:46
Creating the steam material 03:49
Making the final adjustments 04:09
12. Conclusion
Goodbye 00:47