Earth Wall

HOW IT'S MADE

Earth Wall stacks 8 particle emitters, each with its own job. Techniques worth a look: sub-emitters set off by other particles, collisions and keyframed parameters. 2 scene layers (ground and props) show in the studio for context and stay out of every export.

It loops seamlessly every 3.8 s, and 3 of its layers fire in bursts, so it pulses instead of flowing evenly. Start times are staggered from 0 s to 1.75 s, so the layers arrive one after another. To change its colour, select "Base Dust" in the studio and edit the Colour over Life gradient. Size on the same layer sets how big its particles are.

Layers, in draw order

1. Wall RisingparticlesOne burst of 34 shards at 0.06 s. They fly in and form a shape.
2. Wall CrumblingparticlesOne burst of 34 shards at 2.05 s. They set off "Landing Dust" on impact, are flung outward, fall under gravity and bounce when they hit something.
3. Base DustparticlesA stream of smoke puffs along a line, its rate keyframed over the loop. They grow as they age, spin and slow down with drag. Colour runs from white to pale orange over each life.
4. Base RollparticlesOne burst of 16 smoke puffs along a line at 0.83 s. They grow as they age, spin and slow down with drag. Colour runs from white to pale orange over each life.
5. Grit, GritparticlesA stream of debris along a line, its rate keyframed over the loop. They fall under gravity, bounce when they hit something and spin. Colour: orange.
6. Landing DustparticlesSmoke puffs set off by "Wall Crumbling". They grow as they age and slow down with drag. Colour runs from white to pale orange over each life.
7. Crumble DustparticlesA stream of smoke puffs across a box, its rate keyframed over the loop. They grow as they age, spin and slow down with drag. Colour runs from white to pale orange over each life.