# Advanced Particle Effects Programming Tutorial

# Table of Content

0.Introduction

Lesson 1. Getting started: the basics of particle programming

- 1.a What are particles?
- 1.b Particle Creation
- 1.c Essentials of vector algebra
- 1.d Finally, some particle programming

Lesson 2. Building a simple particle fountain

- 2.a Adjusting the particle creation rate
- 2.b Choosing the initial velocity and position of the particles
- 2.c Making sparks out of particles

Lesson 3. Creating a laser beam (without the beam flag!)

- 3.a Minimal code for the laser
- 3.b Building a better laser

Lesson 4: Leaving trails: creating a complex fireworks effect

- 4.a: The theory behind the effect
- 4.b: Putting the trail together

Lesson 5. Polar coordinates: going in circles and defining orbits

- 5.a Defining the polar coordinate system
- 5.b Circles, planets, orbits and spaceships

Lesson 6. Cylindrical coordinates: the "Soul Reaver portal" effect

- 6.a The cylindrical coordinate system
- 6.b The Soul Reaver portal effect

Lesson 7. Spherical coordinates: creating spheres out of particles

- 7.a Definition of spherical coordinates
- 7.b Making stationary spheres
- 7.c Building moving spheres

Lesson 8. Putting it all together: the BIG one

- 8.a The BIG one
- 8.b Spherical distribution of leaders
- 8.c Slowing down the leaders and shifting the color of the tail

9. Conclusion: what to try next?

Content: This tutorial contains the html files and images of this text, and folders lesson2.cd, lesson3.cd, lesson4.cd, lesson5.cd, lesson6.cd, lesson7.cd and lesson8.cd. Each of these directories contains a small working level which illustrates the notions discussed in the text. Just put your template_6 directory path in the script, compile and launch the level from WED. Then, to make the demo work, follow the instructions on the screen and press "0" if necessary to move the camera around.

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