playing particle system in Unity

Question

I am using Unity3D to develop for the HTV Vive using SteamVR. I have downloaded an asset from the asset store with explosion effect created using a particle system. I want to play the particle animation when an object is destroyed. Here is the code I am, unsuccessfully, using.

private void OnDestroy() {
    explosion.GetComponent<ParticleSystem>().Play();
}

Explosion is a public variable of type GameObject set from the inspector. I drop the particle system object there.

Why is it not working? anyone a good recommendation on a short tutorial to learn to use (not to create) particle effects?

Thanks

view of the hierarchy

I have tried this with the PS as a child of the target and as an independent object.

view of the inspector (Target)

view of the inspector (particle system)

edit: for some reason, the particle effect is destroyed right after the scene starts.

Can we see the GameObject heirarchy with both the object containing this script and the object that the ParticleSystem is attached to? Also, a view of the inspector with how explosion is set? — Foggzie
Am I correct to say that target is the object in which you call the play function when it is destroyed? if so, since the particle system is a child of that GameObject, it will get destroyed when the target is destroyed. What happens if the particle system isn't a child? — Ryolu
@Ryolu except it is the OP or author of a post (answer) ;) those users will allways be notified — derHugo

DotCS DotCS · Accepted Answer · 2020-08-03T15:40:53

Try making the explosion effect into a prefab and instantiate it when destroyed.

GameObject explosion; // Prefab asset
private void OnDestroy() {
    Instantiate(explosion, transform.position, Quaternion.identity);
}

Also, don't forget the stop action to Destroy.

playing particle system in Unity

1 Answers