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Containing particles with a wall (PB only)


    Use Wall to contain particles, limiting the area within which particles can move. A wall is a closed mask that you create using a mask tool, such as the pen tool. By creating a wall you can make particles stay within a specific area. When a particle hits the wall, it bounces off at a velocity based on the force with which it hit.

    Without walls, particles can roam about or exit a frame (left). Walls added to the left and right sides restrict particle movement to the middle of the frame (right).
    Without walls, particles can roam about or exit a frame (left). Walls added to the left and right sides restrict particle movement to the middle of the frame (right).

To contain particles within an area:

  1. Open the Particle Playground layer in the Layer window and create a closed path to use as a wall.
  2. In the Effect Controls window under Particle Playground, expand the Wall property.
  3. From the Boundary menu, choose the path you created.
  4. Tip iconTo apply the effect to a subset of particles, specify the Affects options as necessary (see Using Affects options to specify particles (PB only)).

To turn off the wall:

  1. In the Effect Controls window under Particle Playground, expand the Wall property.
  2. From the Boundary menu, choose None.