VolumeActivate Operator 

This operator represents a new "breed" of operators in thinkingParticles - enhancing the overall way of how thinkingParticles works internally. For the first time it is possible within thinkingParticles to reach and feed another operator with data across DynamicSets!

In this special case, the VolumeActivate operator is able to replace and overwrite the activation data of any VolumeBreak operator in a thinkingParticles setup which makes it possible to supply multiple "points of impact" to one VolumeBreak operator for example.

In simple terms, this operator allows you to control when, where and how a particle is fragmented when involved with a VolumeBreak operator. Note that this operator requires the existence of a VolumeBreak operator, and is used to tell that VolumeBreak operator where to activate the VB fragments (via the Position input), how "far" into that particle shape volume to activate (via Initial Length), how fast to activate to that length (via Spreading Second), as well as what Position Type (World, Object, Normalized).

Operator Inputs 

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.

Particle - inputs the particle ID of the particle group with a volumeBreak operator applied.

Position - sets the breaking position for a specific volumeBreak operator, the position can either be set in World Space, Object Space or Normalized to the bounding box of the object.

Initial Length - sets the starting length of the volumeBreak effect, this length is "centered" at the position as defined above. This tells VB how "far" into the particle shape volume to activate the VB fragments.

Spreading Length - defines the maximum extent of the fragmentation starting from the position set in the above described parameter.

Spreading Second - sets the total time needed to release all fragments. This can be used to simulate a shock wave running through an object. This value is in seconds.

Position Type - sets the way the position is supplied. It can be either of the below options:

Operator Outputs 

This operator has no outputs.

Rollout Menus 

VolumeBreak - sets the VolumeBreak operator that should be affected by this VolumeActivate. The drop down menu lists all available VolumeBreak operators so make sure the right one is selected.

Input Position - defines the format of the Position that is supplied to this operator. As shown below, several options exist.


Feeding in a start position to this operator can be done in multiple formats.
The position may be supplied as world space X,Y,Z values or they may be in object space or even normalized to a 1,1,1 box relative to the object.