The Position Follow Operator gives you the built-in capability to have your particles seek a specific goal. By utilizing this operator, you can cause flocking behavior where the selected particle Group will track and try to reach another selected object or node.

ON - (Bool) This input data stream determines whether the operator is considered 'on' or 'off'. You can connect other operators to this input channel such as a Bool Helper to activate/deactivate the whole operator.

Time - (Time) This input data stream is used to define the local time for the operator when the user wants to override the default system time.

Particle - (Particle) This input data stream reads in the currently selected particle group that is to have its particles follow the selected node. The data stream MUST be connected and will be highlighted yellow if it is not.

Position - (Position) This input data stream reads in the currently positional data that is to be used as the target for the particles to try and reach. The data stream MUST be connected and will be highlighted yellow if it is not.

Type - (Integer) This input data stream takes an integer value that represents the Type of Position Follow method the particles will use. Valid input values are 0 and 1, where:

• 0 = Constant Speed
• 1 = Spring

  Speed - (Scalar) This input data stream is used to override the Speed spinner value.

Laziness - (Scalar) This input data stream is used to override the Laziness [%] spinner value.

X/Y/Z Offset - (Scalar) These input data streams are used to override the XOffset, YOffset and ZOffset spinner values respectively.

X/Y/Z Lock - (Bool) These input data streams are used to override the X / Y / Z Lock Axis check box controls.

No Operator Outputs.

Constant Speed - Choosing this option forces the particles in the attached particle Group to try and follow the selected object at a constant rate of speed. They will continue to seek the position (X,Y,Z coordinate) that represents the pivot of the selected node.

Speed - The Speed spinner is used to set the relative speed at which the particles will attempt to get to the position provided. Higher values will result in faster seeking by the particles.

Spring - Choosing this option causes the seeking to become more spring-like - less accurate initially (based on the Laziness [%] spinner) and prone to overshooting and undershooting the positional target.

Laziness [%] - This spinner sets how much overshoot and undershoot the particles will exhibit when trying to seek their target position. Higher values produce particles that are prone to “miss” the target, while lower values will force more accuracy into the seeking ability. Be aware that a value of 100% here is equivalent to turning off the Position Follow operator.

X/Y/Z Offset - These three spinners provide a combined offset value (XYZ point in space) that is used relative to the selected node position. So if the node you're seeking is resting with it's pivot point at XYZ=1, 2, 9, and you set these Offset spinners to XYZ= 1, 2, 9, then the particles will attempt to seek the positional target of XYZ = 2, 4, 18.

X/Y/Z Lock Axis - These three check boxes serve to limit the axes along which the particles can seek the target position. They can be used independently or in combination to limit the effect.