Deforming Particles

In all the previous examples we have shown you how to deform surfaces, but you can also deform particles. With deformers, you can control particles in ways that would be difficulteven physically impossible, in some casesusing dynamics.

To deform particles:

1.	Select a particle object (Figure 13.48). Figure 13.48. Select a particle object to deform. For more information on creating particle systems, see Chapter 18, "Dynamics."
2.	From the Deform menu, select the box next to Create Lattice. The Lattice Options dialog box opens (Figure 13.49). Figure 13.49. Open the Lattice Options dialog box.
3.	Set Divisions to 4-2-2 (Figure 13.50). Figure 13.50. Set the Divisions for the lattice to 4, 2, and 2.
4.	From the Outside Lattice pull-down menu, choose Transform All Points (Figure 13.51). Figure 13.51. Choose Transform All Points so that the deformation continues even if the particles go outside the lattice. This option applies the effect to particles or geometry that move outside of the lattice. Otherwise, there would be an abrupt change in the effect on the particle or surface.
5.	Uncheck Use Local Mode (Figure 13.52). Figure 13.52. Uncheck Use Local Mode to make the lattice look smooth and curvy. Use Local Mode forces the deformation to be strictly based on the number of divisions in the lattice and the result often looks angular and unnatural. Unchecking this option results in a smooth, curvy deformation that appears more organic.
6.	Click Apply. A lattice appears around the particles (Figure 13.53). Figure 13.53. A lattice appears around the particle object.
7.	Press to switch to component mode and click the Points icon .
8.	Select points in the lattice, then press and use the Move tool to drag them (Figure 13.54). Figure 13.54. Move selected points in the lattice to deform the particle object.
9.	Press Play to see the effect of the lattice on the moving particles (Figure 13.55). Figure 13.55. Press Play to see the effect the lattice has on the particles in motion.