Maya Monday: Particles and Particle Plug-ins
We are going to talk about one of the most useful and versatile types of effects out there – particles. Particles can be used to make fire, smoke, water drops, microbes, dust and sand, and any number of miscellaneous motion graphic elements. We’re going to lump fluid simulation in as well and cover a few plug-ins to expand your options.
Understanding Particles and Dynamics in Maya
Envato has an ongoing series on particles by Uriel Deveaud that is worth checking out. It covers particles, n-particles, dynamics, n-dynamics, n-cloth, n-hair, and more. It’s not a video tutorial, which is often easier to follow, in my opinion, and contains a lot of screen shots that explain the process. This goes much further than just particles but there’s a lot of good stuff here, so I’m listing a few others.
- Understanding Particles and Dynamics in Maya—Part 1 – The topic on this one is basic particles and dynamics in Maya
- Understanding Particles and Dynamics in Maya—Part 2 – This tutorial covers nParticles, an advanced particle system that uses Maya Nucleus framework.
- Understanding Particles and Dynamics in Maya—Part 3 – Rigid body simulations is the topic
- Understanding Particles and Dynamics in Maya—Part 4 – Cloth simulation
See all of Urial’s tutorials at Envato here.
Maya – Basic Particle Dissolve Effect
This tutorial from Jeremy Fernsler explains how to make that super useful particle dissolve to dust effect. I used this same effect for blowing away an Angus Young statue back in the very early 2000s for an AC/DC world tour, but with After Effects. If only I had these tools back then! Anyway, that project was one of the most fun I’ve ever done.
Maya Dynamics Tutorial – Galaxy Particle Effects HD
Use the color and shape of a texture and use it as a particle emitter.
Chaos Group Phoenix FD for Particles
Phoenix FD is an all-in-one solution for fluid dynamics. With Phoenix FD, artists can simulate fire, smoke, liquids, foam, ocean spray and more. Phoenix FD is used in multiple television series such as Game of Thrones and The Flash, and is specifically designed for fast-paced production. Phoenix FD integrates seamlessly into Maya and is optimized to render with V-Ray.
Creating Smoke from a Particle System with Phoenix FD
This tutorial explains creating cigarette smoke.
Chaos Group Phoenix FD for Maya comes in a few options:
Perpetual License Rental Options
Sitni Sati FumeFX for Maya
FumeFX is a groundbreaking solution designed for realistic and breathtaking fire, smoke and explosion effects. This unique plug-in is a powerful gaseous fluid dynamics simulator created by Sitni Sati for seamless integration with Autodesk Media & Entertainment’s Maya™ modeling and animation software. Designed for use by visual effects artists, game developers, and visualization professionals who demand the utmost in realism, FumeFX is unrivalled in its ability to capture the nuance and complexity of fluid gas behavior.
Get FumeFX for Maya Trial Version
Maya FumeFX Crash Course Introductory Tutorial
Allen McKay gives a quick start tutorial to FumeFX.
Next Limit RealFlow
RealFlow is an industry-standard, out-of-the-box fluid simulation software. Fast and easy to use, it is compatible with ALL major 3D platforms. Simulate anything from a single drop of water to a massive tsunami.
RealFlow for Maya RealFlow Node License Trial Version
Making a Spalsh with RealFlow and Maya Tutorial
Kris Spelce shows you how to make some splashes with RealFlow in Maya.
Redshift 2 Maya – Tutorial #1 – Particle Rendering
Saul Espinoza talks about rendering particles in Maya with Redshift.
Posted by Michele