In one embodiment, a dynamic effects subsytem automatically generates a dynamic effects animation. A graphical user interface enables an animator to sketch applied energies that influence graphical objects. Each applied energy includes flow particles that are associated with velocity fields. Over time, a dynamic effects engine moves the flow particles and the associated velocity fields along a overall direction associated with the applied energy. To generate each frame included in the dynamic effects animation, the dynamic effect engine computes samples of the graphical objects, computes the influences of the velocity fields on the samples, and updates the positions of the samples based on the influences of the velocity fields. Notably, the applied energies and the flow particles enable the animator to effectively and interactively control the automated animation operations of the dynamic effects engine. Consequently, the resulting dynamic effects animation meets artistic, performance, and physical accuracy goals.