tyFlow Basics - The Missing Manual

Name: tyFlow Basics - The Missing Manual
Rating: 4.7 (28 reviews)

Learn tyFlow from the inside out

Highest Rated

Created byRobert Andersen

Last updated 4/2026

English

What you'll learn

Learn how to use tyFlow and understand how it works as a particle system
Learn The Operators and Their Parameters
We will cover many of tyFlow Operators and learn by understanding parameters
This course tries to create true understanding versus typical follow along and copy me doing this style teaching

Course content

24 sections • 165 lectures • 40h 12m total length

Course Intro3:05
This short video introduces me to you and lays out course expectations.
All the tyFlow Operators as of version 1.171:37
This quick 1 minute animation gives a summary of the 167 operators available in tyFlow
The tyFlow Process Part 0134:17
We go into an in-depth introduction to the tyFlow Process
The tyFlow Process Part 0228:16
We continue our in-depth introduction to the tyFlow Process
The tyFlow Process Part 0319:52
The final video in our in-depth introduction to the tyFlow Process
Create a Full tyFlow Particle Animation Together15:36
We build a first flow together, its a simple box spinning animation to start with.
Create a 2nd Full Flow - Virus Growth Animation25:16
Here we create a more complex particle animation with tyFlow. A growth like pattern on a cylinder.
Create a Third Flow Together - PhysX Animation36:32
This 3rd quick start video introduces PhysX, we have to cover some theory on how PhysX works and hull design, so this is part theory, part tutorial combined.
Create a Fourth Flow - Exploding Particles on Globe Sphere24:03
In this fourth quick start tutorial, I walk you through a flow and how you might attempt to either understand it or create it yourself.

The Birth Operator2:24
Explain how to use the Birth Operator and its main parameters
The Birth Burst Operator3:37
Explain how to use the Birth Burst Operator and its main parameters
The Birth Flow Operator5:14
Explain how to use the Birth Flow Operator and its main parameters
The Birth Fluid Operator12:49
Intro on how to use the Birth Fluid Operator and basic parameters
The Birth Forest Pack Operator5:14
Explain how to use the Birth Forest Pack Operator and it main parameters
The Birth Intersections Operator15:18
Explain how to use the Birth Intersections Operator and it main parameters
The Birth PRT Operator15:39
Explain how to use the Birth PRT Operator and it main parameters
The Birth Object Operator18:42
Explain how to use the Birth Objects Operator and it main parameters
The Birth Paint Operator30:04
Explain how to use the Birth Paint Operator and it main parameters
The Birth Skeleton Operator26:28
This video tries to explain how to use the tyFlow Birth Skeleton Operator
The Birth Spline Operator17:51
We cover the Birth Spline Operator in detail and explain the parameters.
The Birth Surface Operator8:30
We cover the theory and parameters of the Birth Surface Operator.
The Birth Voxels Operator10:21
The Birth Voxels Operator and its settings explained.

Intro to tyFlow and Forces - Wind Spacewarp & TyFlow Internal Forces19:58
We go a little deeper into understanding the workflow using forces with tyFlow
3ds Max Space Warps - Push and Motor Usage with tyFlow32:34
We explain the 3ds Max space warps, Push and Motor and create an example using them.
tyFlow Vortex Helper Explained - Vortex Usage with tyFlow27:53
We explain the tyFlow Vortex Operator and an example using it.
3ds Max Space Warps - Drag Usage with tyFlow13:20
We explain the 3ds Max space warp, drag and create an example it.

Quick Look at the Noise Rollout & Fracture Results8:18
Here we take a look at the Noise Rollout and how to use noise with Fracturing
The Noise Rollout - Usage within a Particle Flow3:26
A quick video showing how the Noise Rollout can be used withing individual Operators.
Vary Noise over Time (Example Random Particle Speed using Noise)2:49
Shows how to use animated noise to vary speed set on particles, it could be used on many other settings, not just speed.

A: Particle Age / Frames / Event Age7:11
The video tries to explain important differences between Event Age, Particle Age, Frame Etc.
B: Continuous versus On Event Entry6:40
This video tries to explain difference between On Event Entry versus Continuous
C: Time Step Setting - How it affects particle animation2:26
The 'Timestep' setting can greatly influence a particle flow and the results
D: Particle Relationships (Parent / Child / Sibling)2:58
This short video explains relationships once we have spawned particles
E: 3D Speak (Terminology)5:16
A lot of Operators use 3D terminology to explain what they will affect, here we just refresh on those concepts.
F: Understanding Neighbors usage with Property Test13:32
You can create some cool animations using the Neighbors Property Test, but it can be confusing to understand at first.
G: The Transformation Matrix (TM)3:29
This video tries to explain what the Transformation Matrix is and how to use it.
H: Event Order and Importance of Placement3:26
In the tutorial we look how Operator placement affects results.
I: Filters - A Very Powerful Tool in tyFlow12:04
Filters add a lot of power to tyFlow and we learn how to use them.
J: TimeStep vs Timeline vs Ticks vs Script Processing (2026)6:29
In this video, we take a look at how a flow and script is actually processed as each frame is advanced. This knowledge is important for scripting and advanced Flow methods

Quick Intro to Standard Operator Section0:43
A quick Introduction to the Standard Operators section of this tutorial.
Common across Standard Operators "Interpolation" Explained13:21
Interpolation section appears in a lot of the Standard Operators, so we just explain once here rather than for each Operator
Common across Standard Operators "Seed" & "Seed by Time" Explained"1:44
The Seed parameter appears in a lot of Operators, quickly explained in this video
Std Op - Position Icon2:02
We have been using the Position Icon already, so this is just a quick refresher on this Operator.
Std Op - Position Object15:12
We take a look at how the Position Object Operator works and it main parameters.
Std Op - Speed17:43
We try to explain all the main settings used in the Speed Operator
Std Op - Stop3:59
Even though a simple Operator, we take a quick look at how it works
Std Op - Spin7:56
We take a look at how the Spin Operator works and its main parameters.
Std Op - Scale10:30
In this video we take a look at the Scale Operator and its parameters.
Std Op - Rotation8:39
In this video we take a the Rotation Operator and its Parameters
Std Op - Slow14:20
We take a look at the Slow Operator and its parameters.
Std Op - Spread6:34
Explore the spread operator in tyFlow to randomize and offset particle positions in 3D space, control variance with the lock setting, and observe outward spread and velocity effects.
Std Op - Path Follow22:33
We take a look at the Path Follow Operator and its Parameters and how to use the operator.
Std Op - Particle Groups11:45
We take a look at the Particle Groups Operator and also an example of its usage.
Std Op - Cluster Operator (updated Apr 2026)6:26
This is a new updated version covering the cluster operator, also see section 24 video 1 for full parameter coverage
Std Op - Point Force6:42
In this video we take a look at the Point Force Operator and its Parameters
Std Op - Cluster Force Operator (updated Apr 2026)8:37
We take a quick look at the parameters and workflow for this operator.

Intro to the Condition Operators Section1:22
Just a quick intro to the Condition Operator Section
The Collision Operator10:09
We take a look at the Collision Operator and its Parameters
Find Target Operator12:10
We take a look at the Find Target Operator and its parameters.
Object Test Operator6:33
We take a look at how the Object Test Operator Works
Property Test Operator12:04
Master the property test operator in tyFlow basics to filter particles by z position and range tests, display data, and trigger color changes.
Select Operator3:18
We cover the usage of the Select Operator and it's Parameters!
Split Operator7:23
We take a look at the Split Operator, it has some quirk in its usage to get expected results.
Send Out Operator1:09
We take a look at the Send Out Operator.
Surface Test Operator9:37
This Surface Operator could seem simple, but it can create really interesting results based on test selection. Various examples given in this video.
Time test Operator5:34
We take a look at the Time Test Operator and its parameters.

Move Pivots Operator13:40
We take a look at the Move Pivots Operator and its Parameters.
The Shape Operator7:46
Explore the tyFlow shape operator to assign 3d shapes—geosphere, cube, and chunks—to particles, adjust variation and distribution frequency, and center pivots for consistent, varied visuals.
Element Fracture Operator6:04
We take a look at the Element Fracture Operator and its parameters.
Face Fracture Operator5:57
We take a look at the Face Fracture Operator and its parameters.
Shell Operator6:27
We take a look at the Shell Operator and its parameters.
MultiFracture Operator36:11
This tutorial gives a quick overview of this complex fracturing Operator
MultiFracture Operator - Radial Mode in Detail (2026)38:40
This video is from my MultiFracture Missing Manual course, but there is a lot of good information that should be available to all, so its included in this course also.

Material ID Operator13:35
We take a look at how to apply materials to particles using the Material ID Operator.
Mapping Operator - Part A: UVW Theory (2026)8:42
In this video we briefly touch on UV mapping and Max Mapping Theory
Mapping Operator - Part B: Ramping and Gradients Theory (2026)21:14
In this lesson we cover the theory and understanding of gradients and ramping in tyFlow.
Mapping Operator - Part C: Custom Floats also Tree Example (2026)23:24
In this video we cover mapping from custom float and we take a look at two examples of spline drawing using custom float mapping.

Requirements

No real skills required other than a basic understanding of 3ds Max and having access to a copy of 3ds Max with tyFlow installed.

Description

This course is about learning tyFLow and assumes no previous experience. I plan to update it with more Operators over time!

A lot of courses take a watch me do and repeat process, and that works for many learners and teachers alike.

I wanted to do more of a learn the actual basics (Parameters and Settings) and what operators actually do, with the hope that, this teaching style would create more understanding and allow students to take their own ideas and turn them into stunning tyFlow animations. During this course we will start at the beginning, explain the tyFlow process, then we will go over critical operators and how to use them. During the course we will create valid and unique tyFlow particle system which will help us to fully understand the tyFlow process.

The idea behind this course is to get students proficient in tyFlow, so they can take their own ideas and turn them into working particle animations. Will will cover a lot of information in the course and it is designed to take a student from a beginner intro level to an intermediate proficient at the tyFlow process level, and able to fully work with tyFLow and understand it.

I hope that during this course, we will have some fun together and take our particles to the next level.

Who this course is for:

3ds Max users who want to create cool particle animations using tyFlow withing 3ds Max and actually understand how to use tyFlow to create your own stunning particle animations

tyFlow Basics - The Missing Manual

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction9 lectures • 3hr 9min

tyFlow Birth Operators13 lectures • 2hr 52min

Intro to tyFlow and Forces4 lectures • 1hr 34min

Understanding Noise Usage in tyFlow3 lectures • 15min

Important Concepts to Understand (updates 2026)10 lectures • 1hr 4min

Quick Overview of the Standard Operators (updates 2026)17 lectures • 2hr 39min

Condition Operators - How to Change Particle Behavior Based on Tests10 lectures • 1hr 9min

The Shape Operators (updated 2026)7 lectures • 1hr 55min

The Display Operators3 lectures • 18min

S10: Material Operators (updates 2026)4 lectures • 1hr 7min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: