From TDN

Particle Effect Rollout

Description

Adjusts basic properties of a particle effect scene object, not the actual particles and effect pattern.

Usage

The Particle Effect properties are only visible when a particle effect scene object is selected in the viewport.

Load Effect: Opens a browse dialog box to locate and load an existing particle effect (*.eff) file.

Save Effect: Opens a save dialog box and accepts a new file name to save the selected particle effect.

Effect Mode: Selects the lifecycle mode for the particle effect. The Infinite mode plays the effect endlessly. The Cycle mode plays the effect over a fixed period of time and the resets automatically. The Kill mode plays the effect only once over a fixed period of time, then removes the effect from the scene. The Stop effect mode functions in the same manner as the Kill effect mode, but does not remove the effect object from the scene.

Restart Effect: Restarts the particle effect’s timeline, effectively taking it back to the point of the effect’s initial creation.

Emitter: Groups together all of the emitters that make up the selected particle effect. For complex and visually stunning particle effects, you will often use more than one emitter.