P.S.: just a little example. Colors set to support the demo. Eventually place the spline as well into the Field. Enjoy.

CV4_2026_drs_26_PYeh_01.c4d

Thank you very much for the feedback, entry-newspaper.

If I get the direction where it has to go right, the need would be to have a visual time scale option that provides a loose resemblance to the timeline.
The key component to consider here is, of course, that the whole setup stays intact when the frame rate needs an adjustment for different markets or targets.

Thank you for your patience with this.

My best wishes for your project

Hi entry-newspaper,

I have not found anything that is easier to set up than to use the cache option. Even simple store Velocity actions and replace it for the time being with Velocity zero will not work, as new particles can be created during that time. I might miss an option with Memory nodes, but that is how far I got.

Here is a little example, at 30 the velocity is recorded, at 60 the particles are stopped via velocity set to zero, at 90 the values are applied back from the recordings – note that the constant grow in numbers leaves many pixels out after the recording during frame 30.
CV4_2026_drs_26_PAsp_01.c4d

However, please feel free to suggest/request a Particle Scene Freeze Node: “Share your Ideas” here
https://www.maxon.net/en/support-center

Cheers

Thank you, Marijke,

Here is an example for the 3rd stroke (explosion) and a sketch for particles forth stroke.

It is only a small part of the whole, just to keep the focus on the exploration.

Files:
https://projectfiles.maxon.net/Cineversity_Forum_Support/2026_PROJECTS_DRS/20260122_CV4_2026_drs_26_PYth-ex_01.zip

Render this file.

In this file I used one of your valves. Please advice if that was OK, if not I can replace it.

I hope that has some usable ideas, or at least something that starts a discussion about where you want to go with the H8 engine.
I believe that given that model to ten artists, you will get ten different results, and perhaps all are interesting. Please let me know.

The exhaust fumes inside the muffler are surely pretty fast, and I would expect to see only a gas-like darkening in the tubes. Outside of it, it might culminate in little clouds.
Here is one idea to produce tiny “vdb” files that could be used.
https://youtu.be/6YVd6edVxps?si=5xwZBy8Oltsk-3hY&t=708

I assume you have seen this, but just in case:
https://cineversity.maxon.net/en/series/getting-started-with-cinema-4d-pyro?tutorial=getting-started-with-cinema-4d-pyro-filling-a-box-with-smoke-and-igniting-it

Enjoy

Hi sugar-appeal,

The question leaves some space for interpretation.

Let's start with these two, and please tell me how far off each is to get a clearer picture of what you like to do.
CV4_2026_drs_26_PAfm_01.c4d
CV4_2026_drs_26_PAfn_01.c4d

Please attach a C4D (smaller 1MB) here with your smallest setup.

All the best

Hi Marijke,

Thank you very much, and sorry for the extra work.
I got the file and I will have a look in the morning into it.
(Midnight here)

Cheers

Thank you, Andy.

I learned Xpresso node by node, playing with it.
The typical suggestion would be:
What is in the "wires", knowing the formats, Real, Integer, Vector, to start.
Then pick some nodes and mess around. You know that everything has a learning curve, so take your time.
When hitting a roadblock, please ask! I learn from questions as well. So, never a waste of time for me.

Enjoy

Hi ASeifried,

Thank you for the file and for using Adobe Cloud.

Here is your file back:
CV4_2026_drs_26_XPpc_01.c4d

A short report of the changes:
The font was not included; perhaps the size adjustment is not a fit for your font.
I have set the 0-100 to 0-100% (Per-cent = 100/100). I used multiply here - x 0.01. A habit, as it is safer.
Added a little Add> String to it as an idea, so you can do it with one Text Object
The HUD element in the view can be removed with a right mouse click, and "remove'

Let me know if something else is needed.

All the best

Hi entry-newspaper,

The non-cache workflow could be via Time Scale. This requires for Simulation that should not stop, a different Simulation Scene.

Here is an Example:
CV4_2026_drs_26_PAts_01.c4d

The setup is done in
Attribute Manager> Mode> Scene> Simulation> Scene> Time Scale.

Is that working for you?

Cheers

Hi Marijke,

Thank you very much for the feedback.

As mentioned, I just need a single geometry defining the Cylinder, which should be a small file. Hence, I expected a c4D smaller 1MB that can be attached here.
I try not to be complicated here, sorry if that looks that way.
For security reasons, we have limitations to download only from Dropbox, Google, Apple, Adobe, or Wetransfer, please upload the file to one of these cloud services uncompressed.

All the best