Spark-Portal as seen in the new Doctor Strange. Particle physics help?

Support Particles and Physics Simulations
1

I’m currently trying to recreate the spark-portal effect seen in the new Doctor Strange from Marvel.

Right now I have this (Which, yes, looks crap.)

Work In Progress 1.jpg1919×1079 318 KB


I am aware that I need WAY more particles and I need to tighten it in toward the torus a lot more, but how? Can I get some help here? I’ve tried using a vortex, but I couldn’t make it feel right. The particles moved too fast and uniformly through the vortex, and worst of all, they didn’t shoot off scattering into the scene.

Thanks in advance.

2

There is a tutorial on how to make a galaxy that has some similarities with what you want to achieve.
Basically it uses a force field and several obstacles so that the particles make spiral arms.
Based on that, I see the portal as a torus-shaped galaxy with very short arms.

Here is the tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIPQ6ANnr70

3

Here’s an interview on the VFX of the movie, haven’t read it yet but it could give you some hints, maybe.

http://www.3dtotal.com/interview/914-strange-magic-framestore-doctor-vfx-by-trevor-hogg

4

Big skinny torus, try messing with initial velocity vector settings maybe?

5

Haven’t seen the movie but I will watch it later.

6

Nice Job,

I created 4 cloned particle systems and put them on independent layers with independent force fields. This way I was able tweak the flow of the particles of each system without affecting the other systems.

I added fire to one of the rings. I think with a day or more of tweaking you could get the exact effect.

Cheers,
JS

Portal_0009.jpg1919×1079 165 KB

7

Heres a short video of the project.

8

Thanks for the ideas, guys! Using multiple particle systems didn’t even cross my mind