Volume Emit Object

This object enables you to track whether an emitter (or some other object) is inside or outside the volume of an object and if so either emit or stop emitting particles. Multiple objects can be tested by the same Volume Emission object.

Note: this will only work if closed polygon objects are used. For example, a sphere or cube is fine but a plane or disc primitive would not work.

Interface

The object's interface looks like this:

For the buttons at the bottom of the interface, please see the 'Common interface elements' page.

Settings

Enabled

Uncheck this switch to stop this object from working.

Emitter

Drag the emitter you want to track into this link field. If the field is left empty, nothing will happen.

Add Emitter

Click this button to create an emitter and add it to the 'Emitter' field.

Tracking Mode

This drop-down has two modes:

Emitter

In this mode the emitter is tested directly to determine if it is inside or outside the volume of the objects in the 'Volume Objects' list.

Object

In this mode the emitter itself is not tracked but some other object is tracked instead; the emitter will emit (or stop emitting) if that object is inside or outside the volume of the objects in the 'Volume Objects' list.

Object to Track

Only available if 'Tracking Mode' is set to 'Object'. Drag the object you want to track into this link field.

Volume Objects

This list contains all the objects whose volume will be tested to determine if the emitter, or other tracked object. is inside or outside the object. Drag the various objects you want to test into this list.

Each object has a flag which affects the result:

The 'outside' flag shown on the cube means that the emitter (or tracked object) must be OUTSIDE the cube for particles to be emitted. The sphere has the inside flag, so the emitter (or tracked object) must be INSIDE the sphere for particles to be emitted.

Note: the outside flag takes precedence. If you have a scene as in the screenshot and the emitter is inside both cube and sphere, no particles will be emitted (because the outside flag on the cube will prevent emission as the emitter is inside the cube).