Build effect & mushroom clouds

  1. Is there anything useful to do with build?

  2. How would one of you go about creating a mushroom cloud? I was thinking about some kind of particle system with a build to make it grow into full shape, but I’m not sure what to do there.

Not Quite Entertainment

“Someday, I will stop asking questions, and start giving answers. Don’t hold your breath.”

I would use a lattice with RVKs to control the shape of the particle system over time.

There is a file by SKPjason on
http://centralsource.com/blender/explosions/
Although low-poly, it kinda looks like it has a mushroom cloud…
(Great resource by SysAdm. Too bad it’s not more extensive and up to date…)

lattice definitely,look in the blender manual

controlling particles with lattice