World Transform group

New to Particular 2.0, there is a group called World Transform. World Transform is like a set of Transform properties for the Particular system as a whole. These parameters let you changes the position and rotation of the whole particle system. World Transform changes the camera perspective without moving the camera in the scene. In other words, you don't have to move the After Effects camera to move the particles, which frees you to do a lot of interesting animation.

World Transform may not be compatible with Physics> Bounce mode. The reason is difficult to explain. Basically it would be compatible with an infinite floor rotated in Y only, but any other change (position or rotation) will break the bouncing off of After Effects' layers. Or the layers would have to be moved/rotated exactly the same way as in World Transform.

Particular 2.0 Note: The Rotation and Offset controls now have a 'W' to differentiate them from the Emitter controls. This is helpful for writing expressions unique to World Transform.

Particular 1.5 Note: In version 1.5, in order to make the whole particle system rotate, you need to do the following: Create a Null, parent a Camera to the Null, and set keyframes for rotation on the Null. But sometimes you want to use the AE camera for other movements, so this method wasn't always efficient. The World Transform group was designed in response to your feedback, so thanks for letting us know!

X, Y, X Rotation W

The Rotation W parameters set the movement of the rotation of the entire particle system.

- X Rotation W rotates the system around a horizontal X-axis, so the particles roll forward or backward, as if you were nodding your head. Lower values rotate backwards and away from the camera. Higher values rotate forwards toward the camera.

- Y Rotation W rotates the system around a vertical Y-axis, so the particles swivel to the left or right, as if you were shaking your head. Lower values rotate towards the left. Higher values rotate toward the right.

- Z Rotation W rotates the system around the Z-axis, so the particles tilt towards the left or right, as if you were tilting your head. Lower values tilt towards the left. Higher values tilt toward the right.

Left to right: X Rotation W at -60, 0, 60.

Left to right: Y Rotation W at -70, 0, 70.

Left to right: Z Rotation W at -50, 0, 50.

X, Y, Z Offset W

The Offset W parameters set the movement of the position of the entire particle system.

- X Offset W moves the system around a horizontal X-axis, so the particles reposition to the left or right of the screen. Lower values move to the left. Higher values move to the right.
- Y Offset W moves the system around a vertical Y-axis, so the particles reposition upwards or downwards. Lower values move up. Higher values move down.
- Z Offset W moves the system around the Z-axis, so the particles reposition closer or further away from the camera. Lower values move closer. Higher values move further.

Left to right: X Offset W at -120, 0, 120.

Left to right: Y Offset W at -150, 0, 150.

Left to right: Z Offset W at -200, 0, 200.