Hi, all -- I've been working with CS for a while and today have some time to fill up at work, so I'm exploring some things in CS 2.1 that I've never touched before. One of them is the Particle System. Is it just me, or does it look like the manual was written for a completely different program? The screenshots don't match what I have on my screen, and I don't get all those fun options in the properties tray -- you know, System type, emitter, particle collider, rendering options, etc.... I seem to be able to access most of what's described in the manual through the Particle Settings panel, but even that doesn't look like what's pictured in the manual (tabs in the manual, round buttons in the program). What's up? Is this something that others have noticed, or do I happen to have a freak edition of the program? Or am I missing something obvious? Thanks for reading my rant, and for any answers the forum may have.... - Dex

Check out the fountain and the particle emitter. They are 2 separate things, both use particles.

Thanks, Patrick, for the response. I was using the particle emitter, but still checked the fountain as you suggested. No dice, though.... Perplexing....

Select the particle emitter in the assembly room and then go to the modeling room. All those crazy dialogues will appear there. The particle generator is pretty spiff (there room for more but patience is a virtue). -Kix

Thanks -- That's the conclusion I'd reached. It's just odd that the manual is so different from the program experience. Much of the manual is a direct holdover from the old RayDream manual -- word for word in many instances -- but the newer stuff is a little less well written. It's a shame.... Ah, well. - Dex