[Bf-committers] fire sim update and design question

[Janne Karhu]

On Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:15:27 +0200, Lukas Tönne  
<lukas.toenne at googlemail.com> wrote:

> Either way it's very ugly and imo a problem with the current particle
> system design (before you start shouting, i know particles will be
> redesigned some time and there are more important things atm, so this
> is just a theoretical question). How about this: Instead using one
> object as the owner of the particle system and it's (only!) emitter at
> the same time, wouldn't it be better to have particle systems as a
> distinct object type (like mesh, light, etc.) and have a list of
> objects, which function as emitters for this particle system? Not that
> i would want to implement this right now, i would just like hear an
> opinion on this (Jahka?).

I've been playing with the idea of having particles separated from emitter  
objects for quite some time. I don't think making particles it's own  
object type is the right choice, but this could work very well by having  
particle systems defined in empties (hair should probably remain directly  
connected to the emitter though). This would allow for nice logical  
grouping of particle systems in different empties and allow for direct  
moving of the particles once they're baked by just moving the empty. The  
emitter object (or even a list of objects) for a particle system could  
then just be set as a parameter to the system. This would also be a small  
step in the direction towards node based particles codewise as it would  
separate particles from the emitter data. So while I don't have the time  
right now to start this project it's definitely something I'd like to  
pursue when I have the time.

jahka