AE 2023 Particular Layer Emitter Issue

[Olive View]

Hello:

I'm coming from older versions of AE & Trapcode, and have a great deal of experience with those.

But I'm still getting up to speed with the newer versions of these tools.

I'm no able to get particles to emit from a layer; I task I've done a million times, with older versions of Trapcode.

I'm attaching a simple scene, with the basic setup. Can someone please take a look and check whether:

a) It works on your end?

b) If it doesn't, what I 'm I doing wrong?

Thank you!

[Rick Gerard]

I took a look at your project and could not figure out what you were trying to do. 

I suggest simplifying and then trying to put in the animations on the layer emitter. If I delete Particular, the wild layer animations driven by the null, and pick the shape layer as an emitter, I get particles emitted from the ring as expected. I can then animate the layer, add a camera, and do everything I expect to do.  With your animations, I can't even get the camera to show up in multiple views unless I start resetting everything. 

The best workflow is always start simple, then move elements into position and animate them. 

One other thing: If I dramatically increase the comp size to 4K and match the Particular layer size to the comp size, I can see the layer emitter working in the upper right corner of your comp. I didn't have time to figure out why there was such a dramatic offset. The comp will also work if you use the Ring solid with the Ellipse effect applied in the main comp, make the layer 3D, and set the layer to effects and masks. If you Reset everything, then choose the Ring or the Ring comp as the emitter source and layer emitter, the particles will be centered over the graphic. 

[Olive View]

Hi Rick,

Thank you, very much, for taking the time to dig into my issue, and report back in such detail.

I should have stated, in my original posting, that the camera and other null items, are exported from Cinema 4D, and essential for the actual project. I need everything to work in that space, obviously.

I will say, I also noticed that there actually were particles, forming in the shape of my ring, but massively offset - just like you found. One thing I know, this odd behavior is either related to AE2023 or Trapcode. I actually tried the same exported C4D data in my old (trusty) CS6, and it worked totally fine. I even tried to import and "migrate" that into the current AE, and it failed to work.

[Rick Gerard]

I'm not sure if this will help but the standard starting place for most 3D apps is at 0, 0, 0. After Effects, the default is comp center. Sometimes, if you have an imported Camrra and tracking information on a null from a 3D app you can fix the misallignment by adding a new 3D null, moving it to 0, 0, 0, then parenting all of the 3D layers imported to the new null, then re-positioning the new null. You can then release the parenting and everything should line up.

[Olive View]

Thanks. Sound logic, and I'll try that out.