I've been exploring methods to do this in Combustion. So far I have had no success.
The effect: Using an alpha channel or image file of a line of text or green screen matt and make it look like it is on fire, or emitting smoking or dripping water.
By using the matt as a birth matt, particles are only created in areas that are white, numerous useful and arguably essential effects could be simply accomplished.
How would you attempt this effect in Combustion? Using an operator as a shape node in particles is not it.
For instance, the 5D Plug-in "Particles" for Flame/Inferno does exactly this.
The Layer Exploder in After Effects also does this.
Any solutions?