not sure if its still available, but the #65 issue of Digit had Particlillusion 2SE for free on the CD..full version.. here's a quick example...you can use still images and pick a frame of the explosion or whatever effect you want to use

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together.
All things connect......Chief Seattle, 1854