Getting the Gem

Starting in v2.9.7, PopcornFX Gem for O3DE can be downloaded along with the associated PopcornFX Editor. Latest downloads: https://wiki.popcornfx.com/index.php?title=Announcements

Since v2.9.16, you can also use the O3DE Gem Repos system to get the PopcornFX Gem by adding this repository: https://downloads.popcornfx.com/o3de-repo

Make sure to grab a plugin version matching the PopcornFX Editor you are using.

Gem status

The PopcornFX O3DE integration has released with v2.9.7. Be aware that some features are still missing. The Gem installation process we also be improved along O3DE development.

Gem dependencies

PopcornFX O3DE Gem require the Atom, Script Canvas, EMotionFX, PhysX,  LyShine and Starting Point Input Gems.

Gem installation

As described above there is two ways to install the gem. Either with O3DE Gem Repos system or manually.

Using the Gem Repo

This version of the Gem will be only compatible with the latest released version of O3DE.

1. Open the O3DE Project Manager, in the Configure Gems panel click on Show Gem Repos.

2. Add the PopcornFX repository:  https://downloads.popcornfx.com/o3de-repo

3. Return to the Configure Gems panel and enable the PopcornFX Gem matching PopcornFX Editor version.

Installing manually

1. There is two ways to get the PopcornFX Gem manually:

– Directly download the Gem zip matching your PopcornFX editor version on the wiki page.
This Gem will be only compatible with the latest released version of O3DE.
OR
– Clone the PopcornFX Gem repository. Checkout the branch matching your PopcornFX editor version.
The main branches are compatible with the latest released version of O3DE and the development branches are compatible with the development branch of the O3DE github repository.

Extract the Gem zip or clone the git repository in the directory of your choice.
For example C:\Users\<User>\O3DE\Gems\PopcornFX

2. Open the O3DE Project Manager, in the Configure Gems panel click on Add Existing Gem.
Select the directory containing the PopcornFX Gem.

3. In the Configure Gems panel, enable the PopcornFX Gem.

Patching O3DE project

In order to have distortion particles working, PopcornFX needs to add a distortion post-effect to your Atom render pipeline:

1. Run PopcornScript/PatchProject.py, python PatchProject.py <O3DE-source-repo-path> <project-path>
For example python C:\Users\<User>\O3DE\Gems\PopcornFX\PopcornScript\PatchProject.py C:\o3de C:\Users\<User>\O3DE\Projects\NewProject

Adding effects to a scene

1. Create a PopcornFX O3DE project using the PopcornFX Editor at the root of your O3DE project.
For example C:\Users\<User>\O3DE\Projects\NewProject\PopcornFXPack

2. Launch the O3DE Editor, add a “PopcornFX Emitter” component to an entity and choose a PopcornFX particle asset.

Texture settings

For correct rendering, assets used as normal map or distortion map by PopcornFX must use specific settings.
For now, those must be set by hand in O3DE. Right click on the texture asset an choose “edit texture settings”.
Pick the right setting: normal for normal maps, PopcornVectors for distortion maps.