nxConstraints - Forces

Overview Video

This layer creates forces of repulsion and attraction between particles.

Weight

The Weight setting alters the influence each constraint type provides to the overall, global solution.

If you are only using one layer, this can be left at the default, 100%.

If you are combining different constraints in several layers, you could reduce this weight to lessen the effects of the connections and blend in other layers.

Connection Limit

This is a limit on the number of connections each particle can make.

Animation to demonstrate an increase in the Connection limit, from 1 to 5.

Attraction

Particles will attract one another, but only if the distance between them is less than the Radius value.

The strength of attraction is given in this setting.

This animation shows the effect of increasing the Attraction value from 0 (zero) to 20%.

Radius

For attraction to take place, the distance between two particles must be less than this value.

In this animation the Radius value is increased over time.

Inner

This limits the force so it only applies if the particles are farther apart than this value, which prevents them from completely collapsing.

Animation to show the effect of decreasing the Inner value, from 50cm to 20cm.

Falloff

Set as Cubic, by default, this is the falloff of the attraction strength (from outer to inner).

The alternatives are: Flat, Linear and Quadratic.

Simulation of the attraction Falloff types: Flat on the left and Linear on the right.

Simulation of the attraction Falloff types: Quadratic on the left and Cubic on the right.

Repulsion

Particles will repel one another, but only if the distance between them is less than the Radius value.

The strength of repulsion is selected in this setting.

Animation showing the Repulsion value set to 10%.

Radius

For repulsion to take place, the distance between two particles must be less than this value.

This animation demonstrates the effect of increasing the Radius value to trigger repulsion, once the distance between particles is reached.

Falloff

Set as Cubic, by default.

The alternatives are: Flat, Linear and Quadratic.