Sins Forums
Hello there!
I was directed by Geo to post this issue to the Modding section, so here it is! I am just wondering if it is possible to create your own particles in the Particle Forge and if so how can I do it? I'll track down the tutorial from the depths of the Internet if I have to, unless someone has an elucidation. . .
Thank you in advance! 
Yes, you can create your own, that's why it was given out to us.
Something you probably aren't aware of is that the particle forge executable and everything that comes with it except the pipeline effects folder needs to be put in the game's root folder.
However, since you could potentially screw up something important to the look of the game, and if you have the hard drive space to accommodate it, you should copy the particle, particle effects, texture, and texture animations folder out of the stock game's folder into a separate one with the particle forge files.
Failing to do one of those methods will mean all you see is a blank black window when you load up the particle forge. Personally I go with the second option so if I screw up I can pull out the original again and start over...
Anyway, once you have all of those files pulled over, you can load up one of the effects in the game and see how it looks and how everything was accomplished.
If you pull the files out of the most recent version for entrenchment or for diplomacy, the particle forge will crash citing the files are for a beta version or some crap like that. There may be a way around this, but I haven't ever bothered to look.
Also as far as I know, there are no tutorials to help you out on this, most people learn by trial and error and playing around with it, however, if you're looking for guidance to a specific problem rather then a full on start to finish guide, PM KrdaxDrkrun (formerly known as Syneptus). https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/user/4121816 <- his profile page so you don't have to go looking for a post to send him a PM from. He's got a lot of experience with the particle forge.
Hey thanks a lot for this, and. . . your right, I did not know that the executable and the effects had to be put in the root folder. >.<
Anyway, thank you very much and I expect to enjoy my time here on the forums.
The executable DOES NOT need to be put into the game folder. In fact, I highly recommend you put it elsewhere, as placing files in your game folder and working on them can easily lead to you messing up your installation.
Instead, copy the runtime files from your game folder into a separate folder you have particle forge in. That way you keep your modding files and your game file structure nicely separate, which is always a healthy practice, as Stant123 suggested anyway. 
Whoops, looks like I misread. OK, I'll do that. Luckily I did not mess anything up yet. . . 
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