Hi all,

I am struggling to produce a snowball simulation.

The effect I am trying to achieve, is of a lump of softly compressed snow,
which is thrown into the air. As it flies, it should leave a trail behind it
of snow particles.

The ideal scenario:

A large cluster of particles which start with the same velocity. (Achieved)
An environment which simulates air resistance and gravity. (Achieved using
fluid dynamics and gravity tools)
A simulation which causes random particles or particle groups to break away
from the main structure and effectively lose some mass, causing them to
deccelerate ( Cannot find tools to create this - I assume this may need some
code - not my speciality)
Eventual break up of main particle structure with loss of mass, causing
decceleration.


Alternative scenario:

Textured object group to simulate snowball (Achievable)
Hidden object emmiting particles behind it (Achieved)
An environment which simulates air resistance and gravity. (Achieved using
fluid dynamics and gravity tools)

Problem with this solution is that its not as convincing, and the path of
the particles seem permanantly linked to the emmitter, so if the emitter
changes direction under the influence of velocity and gravity, the particles
move with the emitter. If the emmitter follows an actual parabolic path, the
particles start to pitch upward as the emitter rotates and falls.

If anyone needs to see sample files - let me know where I can send them (2
or 3 files around 1.5Mb each)

Any help, much appreciated.

Regards,

Chris Sellars
Morsel Animation

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