by Didik Wijaya

In previous lesson, you have created several asteroid objects. Now, it's time to multiply and make them moving around the planet. I will use my favourite tools Particle Flow to create the scene. If you are unfamiliar with Particle Flow, I recommend to read this first.

1.First, create PF Source icon in Top viewport. In Command Panel, click Create>Geometry tab. Choose Particle Systems from drop down list. Click PF Source button. Click and drag in Top viewport to create PF Source icon. Any size and location is okay..

2. Open Particle View (press 6 in keyboard). Select Birth 01 operator in Event 01. In Birth 01 rollout, enter Emit Start=0, Emit Stop=0, Amount=200. You will get 200 particle at the beginning of scene.

Next, click and drag Position Object operator from Depot (bottom pane) into Event 01. Place this operator until it replaces Position Icon 01. In Position Object 01 rollout click Add button and click tube in viewport. Using Position Object operator you can place particle at tube. For Location, use Volume. This option will make particle scattered inside tube.

3. Replace Shape 01 operator inside Event 01 with Shape Instance. In Shape Instance 01 rollout click button under Particle Geometry Object and click 'asteroid' group object in viewport. To make individual particle, activate Group Members. Because particle is too big, reduce Scale=30% with variation=50%. Make.sure Acquire Mapping and Acquire Material is check, in order to use original asteroid material.

Next, highlight Display 01 operator. In Display 01 rollout, change display type to Geometry, so you can see asteroid particle in viewport.

4. Select Speed 01 operator. In Speed 01 operator, use Speed=2 with Variation=1, and Direction=Random 3D.We use very slow movement for asteroid. Click and drag Spin operator from Depot into Event 01. Make sure you don't replace any other operator (drag until you see blue line and release). In Spin 01 rollout, use Spin Rate=1 with Spin Axis=Random 3D. Try to scrub slider, all asteroids are spinning now.

5. Next, you will rotate all particle around planet. In Command Panel, click Create>Space Warps. Click Vortex button. Click and drag in Top viewport to create Vortex icon. Move Vortex icon to the center of planet

6. While Vortex icon is still selected, go to Modify tab. Because you have only 100 frame you don't have to change Time On and Time Off value. Next, go to Capture and Motion section. You only need to change Orbital Speed value. Enter 0 for other option. Orbital Speed is used to rotate particle around vortex axis. Change Orbital Speed=0.01. Use Damping=10 to reduce orbital speed. Then, you can change rotation direction (CW or CCW).

7. Right now, Vortex is not affecting particle yet. Open Particle View. Add Force operator inside Event 01. In Force 01 operator click Add button and click Vortex icon in viewport. Scrub slider, you can see all particle is moving around planet

8. Image below shows rendered result up to this point.

Space Scene: Asteroid Belt Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Didik Wijaya, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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