<P> Particle systems can be created and modified natively in many 3D modeling and rendering packages including Cinema 4D, Lightwave, Houdini, Maya, XSI, 3D Studio Max and Blender . These editing programs allow artists to have instant feedback on how a particle system will look with properties and constraints that they specify . There is also plug - in software available that provides enhanced particle effects . </P> <P> Particle systems code that can be included in game engines, digital content creation systems, and effects applications can be written from scratch or downloaded . Havok provides multiple particle system APIs . Their Havok FX API focuses especially on particle system effects . Ageia - now a subsidiary of Nvidia - provides a particle system and other game physics API that is used in many games, including Unreal Engine 3 games . Both GameMaker: Studio and Unity provide a two - dimensional particle system often used by indie, hobbyist, or student game developers, though it cannot be imported into other engines . Many other solutions also exist, and particle systems are frequently written from scratch if non-standard effects or behaviors are desired . </P>

What is created by the motion of the particles within a system