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Main content
Pixar in a Box

Effects

Contents
About
Introduction to particle systems
The physics of particle systems
Pixar effects artists create explosions, fire, and water by breaking them down into millions of tiny particles and controlling them using computer programming. In this lesson, you’ll use basic physics to create mini-special effects like flowing water and exploding fireworks.

Introduction to particle systems

Explore how water, fire and smoke effects are created using millions of tiny particles.
Effects overview
Introduction to particle systems
Simulating water
Water simulation
Smooth collisions
Smoothed particle hydrodynamics
Create water surface using particles
Calculating contour lines
Practice
What else can you make with particle systems?
Fireworks simulator
Genesis effect
Getting to know Matt Wong

The physics of particle systems

How do computers draw particle systems for us? In this lesson, you will explore the physics behind the scenes that makes it all work.
Start here!
Graphing motion over time
Position, velocity and acceleration
Practice
Vector addition
Velocity and acceleration vectors
Practice
Understanding net forces
Net forces
Practice
Force and acceleration
Applying gravity to a particle
Practice
Particle collisions
Particle collisions
Practice
Animating particles
Particle calculations
Practice
Virtual cameras
Patterns
Up Next
Patterns