It looks to me like the namespace part of the name is ignored. There is a connection from the particles (ppFieldData) which is probably used to resolve the correct node. Here's the process I just tried:

Make a particle system and apply a radial field (rad1) and set a PP float attribute called rad1_mag to be 1 or 0.

float $pid = particleId;
rad1_mag = ($pid%2 == 0);

Check it works - half the particles get forced sideways. Save the scene, make a new scene and import with namespace. Now there is:

• foo:particleShape1
• foo:rad1

Everything still works

Apply a gravityField (called rad1 - out of laziness) to foo:particleShape1

Now the same particles that are forced sideways also fall downwards.

Make another particle system with a an attribute rad1_mag and apply the same expression as above. Move the emitter over the other side of the radial field so you can see what's going on.

Connect the gravity and radial field. Now you have:

• foo:particleShape1
• foo:rad1
• particleShape1
• rad1

Both particle systems have half the particles affected by both the fields.

-- That PP system seems to go against what Autodesk recommend to developers. They say make sure all data is passed through connections, and then they break their own rules. I guess there is a connection there (ppFieldData), but the fact that changing a node name can break the scene seems to be a violation of the idea.

BTW - I'm using maya 2011 mac

By: Julian Mann [ Admin ]