Curve Flow-need help

[blackdahlia]

I need to make the particles follow a curve using the curve follow option in the dynamics menu in maya. but they die on end of the curve. how can I set a fixed number of particles to follow the curve for some frame range, on exit they to be attached to a goal?
and what if I want to make series of goals and curve follows for a single sworm of particles?
if anyone have a clue, I will highly appreciate it. It si obvious that this should be with some kind of expression override.

[gwelch]

Cant tell for sure how to control the death of these with a curve flow, but I think you might be able to alter the code. Select the particle SHAPE inside the flow group and examine the expressions in the expression editor. Also in the attrbute editor look at the particles "rampValues" ramp and array mapper, looks like they are controlling when the particles die.

Another option is to make the particles collide with a shape near the end of the curve, and then make a collision event to spawn new particles.

Consider NOT using a curve flow effect at all and guideing the particles movement with a collision shape and Also in Maya 6 particles can now be deformed, so perhaps a deformer could guide your partilcles, like a wire deformer or lattice or sine deformer?

Just ideas

[blackdahlia]

that's right.
theese were my thoughts also. except for that that there isn't single expression to be altered. curve flow is a number of defined expressions and it would be a lot of work to alter them because I'm not a programmer but designer.
I haven't obtained M 6.0 yet, but I do know its features. deformer could suffice, yes, but a series of dynamic forces can be enough to make the particles to behave as they chase something.
thanks anyway.
I wanted to be sure there isn't other way to do that. duplicating particles may be useful for some swarms but not most of them.

[joojaa]

Curveflow is justa demonstration on what you can do with maya dynamics with some ingenious use. A ssuch they are free for all change but as is. With no help.

Also its not that hard to decipher. Its justa a curve that has points fed to a color ramp for vector lookup for direction of movement and stored place away from the curve.