| ThinkingParticles™ 3.0 is the ultimate rule based particle system for 3ds max, offering unparalleled power to the user. ThinkingParticles™ 3.0 is a completely new class of rule-based particle systems for 3ds Max. When this type of particle system is compared to an event-based particle system, (which works on triggers and time dependent events) you'll find many unique advantages within TP3's rule-based logic, which is free from normal time-based constraints and instead applies simple behaviors. These behaviors govern all aspects of a particle’s motion, life, death, and collisions in a true non-linear fashion. We hope you find that by using ThinkingParticles 3, you can create all the incredible effects you were hoping for, but have been limited previously by existing technologies. The real power of ThinkingParticles™ comes from its unlimited combination of conditions and operators to define the behavior of each single particle in a particle system. Like C++ opens up an unlimited world for a software developer, ThinkingParticles™ offers the same unlimited power to the 3ds max artist. What's the real deal with ThinkingParticles 3.0? ThinkingParticles offers its particle system functionality through a kind of programming approach. However, unlike programming, you won't have to write a single line of code! A powerful visual 'Wire Setup Interface' enables any 3ds Max artist to define the rules and conditions that control the particle behavior. Because it is a 'program' that controls the particles and the behavior, you will find that there is no limit to what you can do! Nearly every particle effect can be created or controlled through a set of operators and conditions. Rule-based Versus Event-driven Particle Systems Where does ThinkingParticles stand? The difference between event-driven particles and rule-based particles can be summed up quite simply. An event-driven particle system usually works based on 'triggers' or events that must happen to activate an effect. This implies some kind of key frame related effects while ThinkingParticles is totally independent of any timing and key framing! ThinkingParticles offers true Non Linear Animation technology. Rules and conditions control the particle effects and not timers or events that happen at certain key frames in an animation. A particle system created with ThinkingParticles will always work regardless of the timing or number of frames that may change in an animation. | 
