<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 8.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "iPadOS: 8.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 - 26.0.0",
    "macOS: 10.8.0 - 26.0.0",
    "tvOS: 9.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "watchOS: 3.0.0 - 26.0.0"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "SceneKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/SceneKit/SCNParticleSystem/orientationMode",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Instance Property",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Instance Property",
    "modules" : [
      "SceneKit"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(cs)SCNParticleSystem(py)orientationMode"
  },
  "title" : "orientationMode"
}
-->

# orientationMode

The mode defining whether and how particles may rotate.

```
var orientationMode: SCNParticleOrientationMode { get set }
```

## Discussion

A particle’s angle (or orientation) is independent from its direction of motion. For example, a smoke effect may use a small image of a cloud for each particle, which stays at the same angle as the smoke rises, but a snow effect may use an image that flips and rotates as each snowflake falls.

For possible orientation modes, see [`SCNParticleOrientationMode`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNParticleOrientationMode). The default value is [`SCNParticleOrientationMode.billboardScreenAligned`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNParticleOrientationMode/billboardScreenAligned).

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)