LSL particle script: soft sparkles around an object

A few sparkles make a gift box, a sign or a magic wand stand out. This particle script sends out soft, glowing sparkles that fade as they drift. All the important values are at the top, so you can make your own effect without learning the whole particle system.

lsl-particle-script.lsl · 58 lines Check this script

// Sparkle Particles - free LSL script from WhatSL (https://whatsl.com/scripts/lsl-particle-script)
// Free to use, change and put in your own creations, also ones you sell.
//
// Soft sparkles around the object: good for gifts, magic items, signs and decorations.
// Touch to turn them on and off. Change the colours and sizes below to make your own effect.

vector  COLOR_START      = <1.0, 0.9, 0.5>;   // gold
vector  COLOR_END        = <1.0, 0.6, 0.9>;   // pink
float   SIZE_START       = 0.10;  // metres
float   SIZE_END         = 0.04;
float   PARTICLE_LIFE    = 2.0;   // seconds each sparkle lives
float   BURST_RATE       = 0.1;   // seconds between bursts
integer BURST_COUNT      = 3;     // sparkles per burst
string  PARTICLE_TEXTURE = "";    // "" = the standard round particle; or a texture UUID
integer START_ON         = TRUE;

integer gOn = FALSE;

sparkle(integer on)
{
    gOn = on;
    if (!on)
    {
        llParticleSystem([]);
        return;
    }
    list rules = [
        PSYS_PART_FLAGS, PSYS_PART_EMISSIVE_MASK | PSYS_PART_INTERP_COLOR_MASK | PSYS_PART_INTERP_SCALE_MASK,
        PSYS_SRC_PATTERN, PSYS_SRC_PATTERN_EXPLODE,
        PSYS_PART_START_COLOR, COLOR_START,
        PSYS_PART_END_COLOR, COLOR_END,
        PSYS_PART_START_ALPHA, 1.0,
        PSYS_PART_END_ALPHA, 0.0,
        PSYS_PART_START_SCALE, <SIZE_START, SIZE_START, 0.0>,
        PSYS_PART_END_SCALE, <SIZE_END, SIZE_END, 0.0>,
        PSYS_PART_MAX_AGE, PARTICLE_LIFE,
        PSYS_SRC_BURST_RATE, BURST_RATE,
        PSYS_SRC_BURST_PART_COUNT, BURST_COUNT,
        PSYS_SRC_BURST_SPEED_MIN, 0.05,
        PSYS_SRC_BURST_SPEED_MAX, 0.3,
        PSYS_SRC_ACCEL, <0.0, 0.0, -0.05>
    ];
    if (PARTICLE_TEXTURE != "") rules += [PSYS_SRC_TEXTURE, PARTICLE_TEXTURE];
    llParticleSystem(rules);
}

default
{
    state_entry()
    {
        sparkle(START_ON);
    }

    touch_start(integer total)
    {
        sparkle(!gOn);
    }
}

Free to use, change and put in your own creations, also ones you sell.

How to set it up

Put the script in the object and save. Sparkles appear right away.
Touch the object to turn them off and on.
Change the colours, sizes and amounts and save again to see the result.

Settings

COLOR_START and COLOR_END: each sparkle fades from the first colour to the second.
SIZE_START and SIZE_END: the size of a sparkle when it appears and when it disappears, in metres.
PARTICLE_LIFE: how many seconds each sparkle lives.
BURST_RATE and BURST_COUNT: how often sparkles appear and how many at a time.
PARTICLE_TEXTURE: empty for the standard round particle, or the UUID of your own particle texture.

Tips

Less is more: a few slow sparkles look classier than a cloud of fast ones, and they are easier on the viewer.
Particles are a setting of the prim. If you delete the script, they keep going. To stop them for good, touch to turn them off first, then delete the script.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I see any particles?

Your viewer may have particles turned down. Check the maximum particle count in the graphics settings.

How do I make snow or rain instead?

Use a white or blue colour, a longer PARTICLE_LIFE and a stronger downward pull: change PSYS_SRC_ACCEL to something like <0.0, 0.0, -0.5> and place the emitter high up.

Do particles cause lag?

Particles are drawn by each viewer, so they do not slow the region, but very many particles can slow down visitors' viewers. Keep BURST_COUNT small.

float OPEN_ANGLE = 90.0; // degrees to swing; use -90.0 to open the other way float AUTO_CLOSE = 10.0; // seconds before it closes by itself; 0.0 = stay open integer HINGE_SIDE = 1; // 1 = hinge on the +X edge, -1 = hinge on the -X edge string OPEN_SOUND = ""; // optional: a sound name in the door's Contents, or a sound UUID string CLOSE_SOUND = ""; integer gOpen = FALSE; vector gClosedPos; rotation gClosedRot; openDoor()

vector SIT_POS = <0.0, 0.0, 0.5>; // metres from the centre of the object (never use <0,0,0>) vector SIT_ROT = <0.0, 0.0, 0.0>; // degrees, for example <0.0, 0.0, 90.0> to turn the avatar string SIT_TEXT = "Sit"; // the word on the right-click menu integer HIDE_WHEN_USED = FALSE; // TRUE = the object turns invisible while someone sits (pose ball) key gSitter = NULL_KEY; string poseAnim() { return llGetInventoryName(INVENTORY_ANIMATION, 0); }

string THANK_YOU = "Thank you for the tip, %name%!"; // %name% becomes the tipper's name integer PUBLIC_THANKS = TRUE; // TRUE = say thanks in local chat, FALSE = only the tipper sees it integer DEFAULT_AMOUNT = 100; // the amount in the Pay window's box list QUICK_AMOUNTS = [50, 100, 250, 500]; // exactly four quick buttons, in L$ integer CLICK_TO_PAY = TRUE; // TRUE = a left click opens the Pay window vector TEXT_COLOR = <1.0, 0.85, 0.3>; integer gTotal = 0; string gLast = ""; string gOwnerName = "";