Technical Notes for Trapcode Particular 2.0

This page lists the new and improved features in Particular 2.0. If you are familiar with Particular 1.0 or 1.5, we hope you will be pleased with the user-requested features that we added in.

 

Custom Particle layer doesn't have to start at Frame 0

The custom particle layer no longer has to start at same frame as Particular. This refers to use of a source layer for the Sprite and Textured Polygon types.

In version 1.5, you had to start the Layer Source at 0. Otherwise, a blank frame would show. The old behavior often led to flickering, because the custom particle layer was offset just one or two frames and you really could not see the misalignment unless zooming far into the Timeline. Note that the custom particle layer/pre-comp still needs to have the SAME FRAME RATE as the Particular comp for predictable behavior. 

Now layers used for Sprites or Textures can start at any point on the Timeline. The layers do not have to be aligned in time. Please note: Animation Presets still must be applied to the first frame of the Timeline.

 

Composition & Layout changes

 

Performance Optimizations

 

Compatible with Particular 1.0/1.5 projects 

Particular 2.0 can load projects made in Particular 1.5 and convert them to 2.0 projects. Doing this will display a warning. Note that the new renderer is not pixel-perfectly identical with the old, so it is a good idea to save your new project with a new name, in case you need to go back to using the old one. Also, do not install both Particular version 1.5 and version 2.0 on machines in the same render farm, or errors may result.

You can open a Particular 1.0 or 1.5 project in Particular 2.0. You will get a standard After Effects message that says the project will be converted and needs to be re-saved. Any old project file that contains the Smokelet Particle Type will be automatically converted to use Cloudlet+Shadowlet settings.