by Didik Wijaya

This tutorial will show you how to create a millipedes animation using Particle Flow. Actually you can create this kind of animation manually using Path Deform. But, here I'm trying to do another way, using my favorite Particle Flow, an advanced particle system available in 3ds max. If you are unfamiliar about Particle Flow, I suggest that you read my previous tutorial about Particle Flow: Getting Started With Particle Flow

This is what you are going to create:

1. First, download 3dsmax file provided here. The zip file contains 2 3ds max file (millipedes_start.max and millipedes_finish.max). Open millipedes_start.max. In this file there are several objects: millipedes head, body, tree trunks and a line. Millipedes head and body are already textured. I used chrome color to contrast with the background. I also added simple animation to the body, by moving the legs.

2. Let's start. First, we're going to animate the head along a path. Select head. Go to Motion tab. In Assign Controller rollout, highlight Position row. Then click small Assign Controller button above it. In opened dialog box, choose Path Constraints and click OK.

In Path Parameters rollout, click Add Path button. Then, click line in viewport.

3. We need to fix head animation. In Path Options, check Follow and Allow Upside Down.

Make sure slider is in frame 0. In Front viewport, rotate head like image below, until the head pointing up.

4. Go to Create>Geometry>Particle Systems. Click PF Source button, click and drag in viewport to create PF Source icon. You can create this icon in any size and location. In Modify tab, you can change Quantity Multiplier in Viewport value to 100% if you want. This value will display all particles in viewport.

Download 3ds max files used in this tutorial

Millipedes Animation Using Particle Flow Part 1 | Part 2

Any question or comments regarding this tutorial should be sent to:
Didik Wijaya, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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