pPoint Force Node

pPoint Force differs from pVortex and pDirectionalForce: it applies a pure radial force (attraction or repulsion) from a 3D point, with no rotation. The force decreases with distance according to the Power parameter (falloff).

Positive Strength = attraction, negative Strength = repulsion. Limit Force prevents chaotic behavior (overshoot) when particles pass very close to the point with an extreme force.

• Effects Library: Tools > Particles > pPoint Force
• Quick add: right-click in the Node Editor → Add Tool > Particles > pPoint Force

pPoint Force

A radial force from a point. Attraction or repulsion. No rotation.

pVortex

Attraction + rotation around an axis. A converging spiral.

pDirectionalForce

A uniform force everywhere, in one direction. No center. For gravity or wind.

pTangent Force

Pure rotation without attraction. A stable orbit.

Rule: radial attraction/repulsion without rotation → pPoint Force. With rotation → pVortex. Uniform → pDirectionalForce.

• Particle Input (orange) - output of a particle node.
• Region Input (green/magenta) - optional. A bitmap or mesh that bounds the area of influence.

Black hole (attraction):
pEmitter (diffuse) → pPoint Force (Strength +1.0, Position at center)
                 → pRender

Explosion (repulsion):
pEmitter (concentrated at center) → pPoint Force (Strength -2.0, Power 2)
                            → pFriction → pRender

Swarm around a point:
pEmitter → pPoint Force (low Strength, Power 3)
        → pTangent Force (rotation)
        → pRender
(attracted + spinning particles = a dynamic swarm)

Strength (default: 1.0 - attractive)

Intensity of the force. Positive = attraction (particles pulled toward the point). Negative = repulsion (particles pushed away).

Power (default: 2.0)

Controls how the force decreases with distance. 0 = no falloff (uniform force everywhere). 2 = quadratic falloff (like real gravity). 3+ = very fast falloff (force concentrated at the center).

Position X / Y / Z (default: 0, 0, 0 - scene center)

Coordinates of the force point in 3D space. You can move it with the crosshair in the viewer.

Limit Force (recommended: on)

Prevents particles from "overshooting" the central point at excessive speed because of temporal sub-sampling. Avoids chaotic behavior. Turn it on for stability.

Randomize

Seed for subtle per-particle variations.

Conditions (Sets)

Applies the force only to certain particle sets.

• Black hole / suction - Strength +2.0, Power 2 = particles pulled radially toward the center. They speed up as they get closer.
• Radial explosion - a pEmitter at the center + Strength -3.0 (Power 0 for a uniform force within the blast radius) = particles thrown outward.
• Swarm - a low positive Strength + pTangent Force = particles attracted to and spinning around a center, a "swarming insect" behavior.
• Obstacle deflector - a moderate negative Strength at the position of an obstacle = particles pushed away before reaching it (avoids collision without pBounce).
• Magnetism / magic attraction - an animated positive Strength + a position that follows an object = particles dynamically drawn toward the object.
• Particles avoiding a point - a negative Strength at the position of the main subject = the shot stays "clean" of particles (useful so they do not block the character).
• Wormhole / portal - a positive Strength at one point + a negative Strength at another = a particle tunnel, sucked in on one side and expelled on the other.

• Power 2 = realistic gravity. Power 0 = the same force everywhere (useful for uniform repulsion). Power 3+ = only near the center.
• Limit Force on by default - avoids real visual clutter from particles zooming through the center.
• Animate Position for a following force - an attraction that moves with an object = a "follow the leader" behavior.
• Negative Strength for repulsion - do not forget the minus sign to invert it (Strength -1 instead of 1).
• Combine with pTangent Force for an orbit with controlled attraction (an alternative to pVortex with more control over the individual parameters).
• Animated Strength for a "pulse" - ramp up the attraction, then go back to 0 = particles sucked in, then released.
• For combined attraction + rotation in a single node, use pVortex, which is dedicated to it. pPoint Force is for pure attraction.