Particle Systems

Частицы — это особые 2D-изображения, отрисовываемые в 3D-пространстве. Они обычно используются для таких эффектов, как огонь, брызги воды, падающая листва. Система частиц (Particle System) состоит из трёх отдельных компонентов: Particle Emitter, Particle Animator и Particle Renderer.

К каждой частице можно получить доступ из скрипта отдельно, чтобы задать ей индивидуальное поведение.

Подробная информация о скриптинге частиц есть здесь.
Подробная информация о самих частицах — Particle Component Reference.

Particle Components

Particle Systems

Система частиц в Unity используется для создания дыма, пара, огня и прочих эффектов. Система частиц работает, используя одну или две текстуры и отрисовывает их многократно, создавая хаотичный эффект.
Система частиц, включённая в Standard Assets.

Обычно система частиц в Unity — это объект, который содержит компоненты Particle Emitter, Particle Animator и Particle Renderer. Particle Emitter генерирует частицы, Particle Animator перемещает их, а Particle Renderer обеспечивает рендеринг (отрисовку).

Если нужно, чтобы частицы взаимодействовали с окружением, придётся добавить компонент Particle Collider.

Ellipsoid Particle Emitter

Ellipsoid Particle Emitter(EPE) генерирует частицы внутри сферы. Использоя настройки, можно изменить размеры сферы.

Properties

Emit	Включает генерацию частиц.
Min Size	Минимальный размер частицы во время генерации.
Max Size	Максимальный размер частицы во время генерации.
Min Energy	Минимальное время жизни каждой частицы, в секундах.
Max Energy	Максимальное время жизни каждой частицы, в секундах.
Min Emission	Минимальное количество частиц, генерируемое за секунду.
Max Emission	Максимальное количество частиц, генерируемое за секунду.
World Velocity	Начальная скорость частиц в мировой системе координат по осям XYZ.
Local Velocity	Начальная скорость частиц в локальной системе координат (относительно объекта, то бишь) по осям XYZ.
Rnd Velocity	Случайные значения по X, Y, и Z, которые будут добавлены к скорости.
Emitter Velocity Scale	Величина скорости источника, которую унаследуют частицы.
Tangent Velocity	Начальная скорость частиц по X,Y и Z вдоль поверхности эмиттера.
Simulate In World Space	Если включено, то при движении источника частицы не двигаются за ним. Если выключено — частицы двигаются за движущимся источником.
One Shot	Если включено, то все частицы генерируются за один раз.
Ellipsoid	Масштаб сферы, в которой генерируются частицы, по осям XYZ.
MinEmitterRange	Глубина, на которой генерируются частицы. 1 — частицы генерируются в центре сферы, 0 — на её поверхности.

Details

EPE — это базовый источник и он включён в систему частиц по умолчанию. Систему же частиц можно добавить с цену через Components>Particles>Particle System.

Particle Emitter работает в связке с Particle Animators и Particle Renderers для создания, изменения и отображения системы частиц. Все три компонента должны присутствовать, чтобы система частиц работала корректно.

Spawning Properties

Spawning properties like Size, Energy, Emission, and Velocity will give your particle system distinct personality when trying to achieve different effects. Having a small Size could simulate fireflies or stars in the sky. A large Size could simulate dust clouds in a musky old building.

Energy и Emission определяют то, насколько долго частицы будут существовать и насколько интенсивно генерироваться. Для примера, у стартующей ракеты оба значения должны быть высокими.

Velocity контроллирует направление и скорость передвижения частиц. Изменяя значения этого свойства, можно имитировать порывы ветра и создавать интересные эффекты.

Simulate in World Space

Включение этой опции отменяет привязку частиц к источнику. В противном случае (если опция выключена), частицы будут перемещаться вслед за перемещениями источника. For example, if you have a fireball that is spurting flames that rise, the flames will be spawned and float up in space as the fireball gets further away. If Simulate in World Space is disabled, those same flames will move across the screen along with the fireball.

Emitter Velocity Scale

Работает только при включённой опции Simulate in World Space.
При значении 1 частицы наследуют скорость источника полностью. При значении 0 —не наследуют совсем. Если, например, установить значение 2 — скосрость унаслидуется в двойном размере и т. д.

One Shot

При включённом One Shot все частицы генерируются одновременно.

Рекомендуем включать эту опцию для имитации следующих явлений:
* Взрыв;
* Всплеск воды;
* Магическое заклинание.

И выключить для следующих:
* Дым от дула оружия;
* Ветер;
* Водопад.

Min Emitter Range

Min Emitter Range определяет глубину, на которой в элипсоиде генерируются частицы. Значение 0 заставит частицы генерироваться в самом центре. Значение 1 перенесёт этот процесс на поверхность.

Hints

Будьте осторожны, используя большое количество частиц. Это может серьёзно сказаться на производительности игры. Всегда старайтесь обходиться минимальным количеством частиц для создания нужного эффекта.
Свойство источника Emit работает в связке со свойством аниматора AutoDesctruct. Через скрипт можно автоматически разрушить систему частиц и объект, к которому она прикреплена.

Mesh Particle Emitter

Эмиттер частиц - меш (Mesh Particle Emitter) испускает частицы вокруг меша. Частицы порождаются на поверхности меша, что может быть необходимым, если вы хотите достигнуть сложного взаимодействия частиц с объектами.

Properties

Emit	Включает генерацию частиц.
Min Size	Минимальный размер частицы во время генерации.
Max Size	Максимальный размер частицы во время генерации.
Min Energy	Минимальное время жизни каждой частицы, в секундах.
Max Energy	Максимальное время жизни каждой частицы, в секундах.
Min Emission	Минимальное количество частиц, генерируемое за секунду.
Max Emission	Максимальное количество частиц, генерируемое за секунду.
World Velocity	Начальная скорость частиц в мировой системе координат по осям XYZ.
Local Velocity	Начальная скорость частиц в локальной системе координат (относительно объекта, то бишь) по осям XYZ.
Rnd Velocity	A random speed along X, Y, and Z that is added to the velocity.
Emitter Velocity Scale	The amount of the emitter's speed that the particles inherit.
Tangent Velocity	The starting speed of particles along X, Y, and Z, across the Emitter's surface.
Simulate In World Space	Если включено, то при движении источника частицы не двигаются за ним. Если выключено — частицы двигаются за движущимся источником.
One Shot	Если включено, то все частицы генерируются за один раз.
Interpolate Triangles	Если включено, частицы будут генерироваться на всей поверхности меша. Если выключено — только в его вершинах.
Systematic	If enabled, particles are spawned in the order of the vertices defined in the mesh. Although you seldom have direct control over vertex order in meshes, most 3D modelling applications have a very systematic setup when using primitives. It is important that the mesh contains no faces in order for this to work.
Min Normal Velocity	Minimum amount that particles are thrown away from the mesh.
Max Normal Velocity	Maximum amount that particles are thrown away from the mesh.

Details

Mesh Particle Emitters (MPEs) are used when you want more precise control over the spawn position & directions than the simpler Ellipsoid Particle Emitter gives you. They can be used for making advanced effects.

MPEs work by emitting particles at the vertices of the attached mesh. Therefore, the areas of your mesh that are more dense with polygons will be more dense with particle emission.

Particle Emitters work in conjunction with Particle Animators and Particle Renderers to create, manipulate, and display Particle Systems. All three Components must be present on an object before the particles will behave correctly. When particles are being emitted, all different velocities are added together to create the final velocity.

Spawning Properties

Настройки порождения, такие как размер (Size), энергия (Energy), эмиссия (Emission) и скорость (Velocity) обеспечат Вашей системе частиц ярко выраженную индивидуальность для достижения разнообразных эффектов. Маленький размер может имитировать светлячков или звезды на небе. Большой размер  может имитировать облака пыли в старинном здании.

Energy and Emission will control how long your particles remain onscreen and how many particles can appear at any one time. For example, a rocket might have high Emission to simulate density of smoke, and high Energy to simulate the slow dispersion of smoke into the air.

Velocity will control how your particles move. You might want to change your Velocity in scripting to achieve interesting effects, or if you want to simulate a constant effect like wind, set your X and Z Velocity to make your particles blow away.

Simulate in World Space

If this is disabled, the position of each individual particle will always translate relative to the Position of the emitter. When the emitter moves, the particles will move along with it. If you have Simulate in World Space enabled, particles will not be affected by the translation of the emitter.

Например, если у Вас есть фаербол, из которого струятся языки пламени, пламя будет порождаться и подниматься вверх в пространстве, пока фаербол улетает дальше. Если Симулировать в прострастве мира (Simulate in World Space) отключено, те же языки пламени будут двигаться по экрану вместе с фаерболом.

Emitter Velocity Scale

This property will only apply if Simulate in World Space is enabled.

If this property is set to 1, the particles will inherit the exact translation of the emitter at the time they are spawned. If it is set to 2, the particles will inherit double the emitter's translation when they are spawned. 3 is triple the translation, etc.

One Shot

One Shot emitters will create all particles within the Emission property all at once, and cease to emit particles over time. Here are some examples of different particle system uses with One Shot Enabled or Disabled:

Enabled:

• Explosion
• Water splash
• Magic spell

Disabled:

• Gun barrel smoke
• Wind effect
• Waterfall

Interpolate Triangles

Enabling your emitter to Interpolate Triangles will allow particles to be spawned between the mesh's vertices. This option is off by default, so particles will only be spawned at the vertices.

Enabling this option will spawn particles on and in-between vertices, essentially all over the mesh's surface (seen below).

It bears repeating that even with Interpolate Triangles enabled, particles will still be denser in areas of your mesh that are more dense with polygons.

Systematic

Enabling Systematic will cause your particles to be spawned in your mesh's vertex order. The vertex order is set by your 3D modeling application.

Normal Velocity

Normal Velocity controls the speed at which particles are emitted along the normal from where they are spawned.

For example, create a Mesh Particle System, use a cube mesh as the emitter, enable Interpolate Triangles, and set Normal Velocity Min and Max to 1. You will now see the particles emit from the faces of the cube in a straight line.

See Also

• How to make a Mesh Particle Emitter

Hints

• Be careful of using many large particles. This can seriously hinder performance on low-level machines. Always try to use the minimum number of particles to attain an effect.
• The Emit property works in conjunction with the AutoDestruct property of the Particle Animator. Through scripting, you can cease the emitter from emitting, and then AutoDestruct will automatically destroy the Particle System and the GameObject it is attached to.
• MPEs can also be used to make glow from a lot of lamps placed in a scene. Simply make a mesh with one vertex in the center of each lamp, and build an MPE from that with a halo material. Great for evil sci-fi worlds.

Particle Animator

Particle Animators move your particles over time, you use them to apply wind, drag & color cycling to your particle systems.

Properties

Does Animate Color	If enabled, particles cycle their color over their lifetime.
Color Animation	The 5 colors particles go through. All particles cycle over this - if some have a shorter life span than others, they will animate faster.
World Rotation Axis	An optional world-space axis the particles rotate around. Use this to make advanced spell effects or give caustic bubbles some life.
Local Rotation Axis	An optional local-space axis the particles rotate around. Use this to make advanced spell effects or give caustic bubbles some life.
Size Grow	Use this to make particles grow in size over their lifetime. As randomized forces will spread your particles out, it is often nice to make them grow in size so they don't fall apart. Use this to make smoke rise upwards, to simulate wind, etc.
Rnd Force	A random force added to particles every frame. Use this to make smoke become more alive.
Force	The force being applied every frame to the particles, measure relative to the world.
Damping	How much particles are slowed every frame. A value of 1 gives no damping, while less makes them slow down.
Autodestruct	If enabled, the GameObject attached to the Particle Animator will be destroyed when all particles disappear.

Details

Particle Animators allow your particle systems to be dynamic. They allow you to change the color of your particles, apply forces and rotation, and choose to destroy them when they are finished emitting. For more information about Particle Systems, reference Mesh Particle Emitters, Ellipsoid Particle Emitters, and Particle Renderers.

Animating Color

If you would like your particles to change colors or fade in/out, enable them to Animate Color and specify the colors for the cycle. Any particle system that animates color will cycle through the 5 colors you choose. The speed at which they cycle will be determined by the Emitter's Energy value.

If you want your particles to fade in rather than instantly appear, set your first or last color to have a low Alpha value.

Rotation Axes

Setting values in either the Local or World Rotation Axes will cause all spawned particles to rotate around the indicated axis (with the Transform's position as the center). The greater the value is entered on one of these axes, the faster the rotation will be.

Setting values in the Local Axes will cause the rotating particles to adjust their rotation as the Transform's rotation changes, to match its local axes.

Setting values in the World Axes will cause the particles' rotation to be consistent, regardless of the Transform's rotation.

Forces & Damping

You use force to make particles accelerate in the direction specified by the force.

Damping can be used to decelerate or accelerate without changing their direction:

• A value of 1 means no Damping is applied, the particles will not slow down or accelerate.
• A value of 0 means particles will stop immediately.
• A value of 2 means particles will double their speed every second.

Destroying GameObjects attached to Particles

You can destroy the Particle System and any attached GameObject by enabling the AutoDestruct property. For example, if you have an oil drum, you can attach a Particle System that has Emit disabled and AutoDestruct enabled. On collision, you enable the Particle Emitter. The explosion will occur and after it is over, the Particle System and the oil drum will be destroyed and removed from the scene.

Note that automatic destruction takes effect only after some particles have been emitted. The precise rules for when the object is destroyed when AutoDestruct is on:

• If there have been some particles emitted already, but all of them are dead now, or
• If the emitter did have Emit on at some point, but now Emit is off.

Hints

• Use the Color Animation to make your particles fade in & out over their lifetime - otherwise, you will get nasty-looking pops.
• Use the Rotation Axes to make whirlpool-like swirly motions.

Particle Collider

The World Particle Collider is used to collide particles against other Colliders in the scene.

Properties

Bounce Factor	Particles can be accelerated or slowed down when they collide against other objects. This factor is similar to the Particle Animator's Damping property.
Collision Energy Loss	Amount of energy (in seconds) a particle should lose when colliding. If the energy goes below 0, the particle is killed.
Min Kill Velocity	If a particle's Velocity drops below Min Kill Velocity because of a collision, it will be eliminated.
Collides with	Which Layers the particle will collide against.
Send Collision Message	If enabled, every particle sends out a collision message that you can catch through scripting.

Details

To create a Particle System with Particle Collider:

1. Create a Particle System using GameObject->Create Other->Particle System
2. Add the Particle Collider using Component->Particles->World Particle Collider

Messaging

If Send Collision Message is enabled, any particles that are in a collision will send the message OnParticleCollision() to both the particle's GameObject and the GameObject the particle collided with.

Hints

• Send Collision Message can be used to simulate bullets and apply damage on impact.
• Particle Collision Detection is slow when used with a lot of particles. Use Particle Collision Detection wisely.
• Message sending introduces a large overhead and shouldn't be used for normal Particle Systems.

Particle Renderer

The Particle Renderer renders the Particle System on screen.

Properties

Materials	Reference to a list of Materials that will be displayed in the position of each individual particle.
Camera Velocity Scale	The amount of stretching that is applied to the Particles based on Camera movement.
Stretch Particles	Determines how the particles are rendered.
Billboard	The particles are rendered as if facing the camera.
Stretched	The particles are facing the direction they are moving.
SortedBillboard	The particles are sorted by depth. Use this when using a blending material.
VerticalBillboard	All particles are aligned flat along the X/Z axes.
HorizontalBillboard	All particles are aligned flat along the X/Y axes.
Length Scale	If Stretch Particles is set to Stretched, this value determines how long the particles are in their direction of motion.
Velocity Scale	If Stretch Particles is set to Stretched, this value determines the rate at which particles will be stretched, based on their movement speed.
UV Animation	If either of these are set, the UV coordinates of the particles will be generated for use with a tile animated texture. See the section on Animated Textures below.
X Tile	Number of frames located across the X axis.
Y Tile	Number of frames located across the Y axis.
Cycles	How many times to loop the animation sequence.

Details

Particle Renderers are required for any Particle Systems to be displayed on the screen.

Choosing a Material

When setting up a Particle Renderer it is very important to use an appropriate material and shader. Most of the time you want to use a Material with one of the built-in Particle Shaders. There are some premade materials in the Standard Assets->Particles->Sources folder.

Creating a new material is easy:

1. Select Assets->Create Other->Material from the menu bar.
2. The Material has a shader popup, choose one of the shaders in the Particles group. Eg. Particles->Multiply.
3. Now assign a Texture. The different shaders use the alpha channel of the textures slightly differently, but most of the time a value of black will make it invisible and white in the alpha channel will display it on screen.

Distorting particles

By default particles are rendered billboarded. That is simple square sprites. This is good for smoke and explosions and most other particle effects.

Particles can be made to either stretch with the velocity. This is useful for sparks, lightning or laser beams. Length Scale and Velocity Scale affects how long the stretched particle will be.

Sorted Billboard can be used to make all particles sort by depth. Sometimes this is necessary, mostly when using Alpha Blended particle shaders. This can be expensive and should only be used if it really makes a quality difference when rendering.

Animated textures

Particle Systems can be rendered with an animated tile texture. To use this feature, make the texture out of a grid of images. As the particles go through their life cycle, they will cycle through the images. This is good for adding more life to your particles, or making small rotating debris pieces.

Hints

• Используйте Particle Shaders вместе с Particle Renderer.