particles fade in AND out

It would be nice if particles could fade in AND out without having to use scale tricks (since that restricts particle scaling).

A new llParticleSystem constant, PSYS_PART_MID_ALPHA, could be added for the MIDdle alpha to allow smooth alpha/transparency particle fading both in AND out.

Please vote for this feature.

No comments?

sure I got one, I refuse to vote on any proposal to add new features like this, since the time can be better spent trying to fix existing issues , I love particles, however I have to turn them off as it is in order to do anything because of current lag issues so time spent on a new particle effect is a waste of time IMO.

Er, if particles lag you THAT bad (with or without local light on), your system needs upgrading. While I agree I would rather have avatar lit attachment update lag fixed, I still have MANY ideas about how to improve SL and enjoy discussing them (even if it seems mostly pointless since developer Lindens rarely chime in).

Yea And/Or an option... for "twinkling".. I would also like to see them imp particle trails (and the other un-imped particle options) so bling doesn't cause Lagtops to freeze. BTW... you can hide particles and/or set it down to 512 or so and you don't lag NEARLY as badly on "Ancient Old Machines".

I'm running a 1 year old laptop. I surpass the system requirements. I have nearly EVERY rendering option turned off or tuned down. I get 12-16 FPS in a low populated area. High agent cout: noticably lower FPS. High poly avatar: noticably lower FPS.
I also have heard that SL can run about 1/10th of the number of particles as, say, Halo 2 can at the same FPS on hte same machine. Adding a new particle feature will only make those of us who are scraping by turn off particles entirely.
Wait! I already did! I have it turned up just enough to appreciate particle whores and to see the ones that are used in moderation. I'd rather see particles done right than to see more "cheap effects."

Laptops and 3D don't usually mix (unless you have one specifically built for gaming like one of those Alienware ones or whatever. Your system has to meet/surpass the RECOMMENDED system requirements, not the bare minimum.

A middle alpha setting is hardly a cheap effect and won't cause anymore lag anyway.

* Internet Connection*: Cable or DSL
Check.
* Computer Processor: 1.6GHz Pentium 4 or Athlon 2000+ or better
Check.
* Computer Memory: 512MB or better
Check. I am planning on adding a 1 GB chip (when I get some cash).
* Video/Graphics Card**:
o nVidia GeForce FX 5600, GeForce 6600, or better
o OR ATI Radeon 9600, X600, or better
Maybe check. I am on a laptop, so I do have a Mobility version.

Now my desktop has a better CPU and graphics card. Am I seeing a better FPS? No.

You failed to mention what your laptop's CPU is and you THINK your video card is the [ATI] Mobility [Radeon what? there are a few], but they tend to be crap anyway compared to desktop video cards. 512MB RAM is nothing these days; you need at LEAST 1GB. Like I said: laptops and 3D don't tend to mix--yours especially.

Anyway, this thread isn't about getting your low-end laptop to run SL decently so let's stick to new particle parameters, shall we?

Heck, I'd be happy if you could just have them fade IN. As is, only Fade Out works.

Weird! Coulda sworn that USED to work anyway! Yet another bug...

My laptop is not low end, thank you very much. I didn't buy a lousy used Dell Insirion. And I certainly never ASKED for help getting SL to run on my machine. I also shouldn't have to provide specs for my machine when replying to a "you should meet or beat system recomedations." I quoted them and stated if I met or beat. And what I meant by my card is that it might not pass the recomended level because it is the Mobility version and they aren't as powerful as the desktop version. And you missed my point that my desktop is a far better system and it sees the same frame rate. My hardware IS NOT AN ISSUE.
As for 512 being not enough, I am planning on more, but it requires money that I don't have.

Sorry; missed the part about your desktop. Still, you didn't say whether your hardware met or beat the requirements--you just wrote "check", which seems just like "meet", not "beat". You also failed to mention your desktop's CPU/GPU.

Anyway, I'd have to see what all your preferences (specifically graphics and adv. graphics) to attempt to diagnose what the problem could be, but that's not what this thread is about.

Taking this to PM instead (and dont ask me how to check them, I'm sure there's a way somehow...I'm going to go looking.)