Abstract Wave with Particle System

Question

I want to create a wave made out of particles/dots. The wave should look like this:

I tried to achieve this effect by adding an ocean modifier to a plane. Then I added a particle system to the plane but now I don't know how to go on. How can I make the particles lay on the 'ocean' and move when the ocean is moving?

PS: I know there is a way to do this with a material in the Blender Render. But firstly I want to create the whole thing in Cycles and secondly I want to have particles.

Answer 1

Method 1 - Dupliverts

You should use a mesh such as a cube or a simple Icosphere for your particle, this will allow you to properly shade the particles like any other mesh

1. Select the particle mesh, in my case an Icosphere

2. Select the ocean

3. parent the particle to the ocean, Ctrl P

4. Select the ocean

5. In mesh panel, set duplication type to verts

Method 2 - Particle System

1. Make sure your particle system is one the bottom of the modifier stack.

   

2. In the particle system enable Use Modifier Stack

3. If you want to use another mesh as the particles you need to select the particle system and under the render tab, Select Object as your render type. Then you can choose you object.