thinkingParticles offers advanced Non Linear Animation features (NLA) that
let you control time in a completely different way from what you are used
to in 3ds Max. The Timer Helper is like a stopwatch that helps create
a window of time for a set of rules or conditions to occur.
ON - (Bool) This input data
stream determines whether the operator is considered 'on' or 'off.' You
can connect other operators to this input channel such as a Bool
Helper to activate/deactivate the whole operator.
Time - (Time) This input data stream is used to define the local
time for the operator when the user wants to override the default system
time.
Start - (Bool) This input data stream is used to activate the
Timer Helper. The data stream MUST be connected and will
be highlighted yellow if it is not.
Particle - (Particle) This input data stream reads in the currently
selected particle group that is to be timed with this helper.
Frames - (Frame) This input data stream is used to override the
Frames spinner within the Timer rollout.
Extend - (Bool) This input data stream is used to override the
Extend checkbox state.
Single - (Bool) This input data stream is used to override the
Single checkbox state.
Loop - (Bool) This input data stream is used to override the Loop
checkbox state.
Out - (Bool) This output
data stream sends the true or false state to other node input data streams
regarding the Timer state.
Time - (Time) This output data stream sends out the local timer
value. So if the timer's Value is set to 10, and it's at frame 6 of it's
timing - this output data stream outputs a time of 6.
Particle - (Particle) This output data stream sends the particles
that are "tagged" by the timer when it's active.
Frames - You may set any time in frames with this spinner. As
soon as the ON input data stream receives a True condition, time starts
ticking up to the value you have set.
Extend - When this checkbox is active, the time value is reset
for each On/Off change within the ON input data stream. This option mimics
the feature of “motion sensor lights” you might have on the outside of
your house. Whenever the sensor gets a new detection signal (On/Off),
the time starts all over again.
Single - When this checkbox is active, the Timer Helper will stop
after it is initiated and run through the time interval. It will not be
restarted regardless of any On/Off changes within the ON input data stream.
Loop - This checkbox causes the Timer to reset and repeat it's
count as long as the ON input data stream receives a True condition.