The algorithm of curve in Shuriken Particle System

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Hi all,

Does anyone know what's the algorithm of curve that Shuriken Particle System used?

Is that a Bézier Curves?

Thanks.

Answer 1

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Answer by Bunny83 · Apr 15, 2013 at 02:14 PM

The Shuriken Particle System just uses Unity's AnimationCurve class and the built-in editor. Yes they are bezier curves, but the control points are calculated by the "tangent angle".

edit

Finally had some time and i quickly created an editor window with a CurveField. This is the result:

Curve

Here's the most important part of my sample code:

     float w = R.width;
     float h = R.height;
     var keys = curve.keys;
     for(int i = 0; i < keys.Length-1;i++)
     {
         Keyframe K1 = keys[i];
         Keyframe K2 = keys[i+1];
         Vector2 start = new Vector2(K1.time*w,K1.value*h);
         Vector2 end = new Vector2(K2.time*w,K2.value*h);
         float d = (end.x-start.x) / 3.0f;
         float a = h / w;
         Vector2 st = start + new Vector2(d,d*a*K1.outTangent);
         Vector2 et = end + new Vector2(-d,-d*a*K2.inTangent);
         Drawing.BezierLineGL(start,st,end, et,Color.red,20);
     }

So basically you just take 1/3 of the distance between two points on the x-axis as the x position of the control point. When your viewing area's aspect ratio differs from 1.0 you have to correct the y value accordingly (like i did).

So at the end you have a start point (start) two control points (st, et) and the end point (end) for each segment to draw a cubic bezier between two KeyFrames.

ps: R is a Rect which represents the drawing area's size.

curvesample.png (31.0 kB)

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crtapps · Apr 15, 2013 at 03:03 PM 0

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Thanks Bunny.It's very helpful for me.

crtapps · Apr 16, 2013 at 10:22 AM 0

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Another question, If the curves in Shuriken Particle System is Bezier, How do I apply the tangent parameter to the curve? e.g, If I changed the inTangent and outTangent member variable of $$anonymous$$eyframes in AnimationCurve(AnimationCurve.keys), I watched the curve changed ,but why? the formula of Cubic Bezier curves does not have the parameter of tanget, right?

Thanks.

Bunny83 · Apr 16, 2013 at 11:24 AM 0

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As i said you have to calculate the control points yourself. The in and out tangent is not, like stated in the docs, an angle in degree but the tangent of the desired angle. InTangent is positive when co$$anonymous$$g in from below and outTangent is positive when going up. a value of 0 is flat positiveInfinity represents an immediate step.

crtapps · Apr 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM 0

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Thanks for your answer Bunny. I have understood the inTangent and outTanget in AnimationCurve. But how do I calculate the control points from tangent? I did not find the relevant information from google. Could you give me some tips or links about this area? Thanks.

Bunny83 · Apr 18, 2013 at 09:30 AM 1

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You will always use a cubic bezier which will connect your "curve points". The outTangent of the first point will be used to deter$$anonymous$$e the first control point and the inTangent of the second point will deter$$anonymous$$e the second control point. If i can find some time, when i'm home, i might try it myself.

I'm still extending my inApp editor features and a curve editor would be nice ;)

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Answer 2

Answer by Varaughe · Jul 25, 2020 at 05:09 PM

If you want to know what is the exact equation behind an AnimationCurve, you should check Runtime Curve Editor (from Unity Asset Store). The package replicates 100% the equation by which the Animation Curve built-in editor plots the curve. Also the package supports visually editing of pairs of curves, which is used in the particle editor.

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The algorithm of curve in Shuriken Particle System

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