Mesh Particles
Particles drawn as 3D models
Also known as: Mesh renderer particles · Debris particles · Mesh emitter · Niagara mesh renderer · 3D particles
Definition
Mesh particles are particles drawn as small 3D meshes instead of flat sprites. They are used for debris, rocks, shards, leaves, crystals, coins and other objects that need to be seen from every angle, with real shape, lighting and shadows. Both Niagara's mesh renderer and Unity's Mesh render mode support them, and the mesh can rotate, tumble and use a normal material. They look more solid than sprites and cost more per particle.
In production
Keep the meshes very low-poly, share one or a few meshes, and use a texture atlas for variations. Use instancing, which engines do for particles, and limit the number alive at once. Mesh particles combine well with sprite effects, for example debris with smoke and a flash. Fade them out by scaling to zero, since a translucent mesh has sorting and overdraw problems.
