To tell you the truth, I haven't installed the Trapcode extensions yet. But from all that I have read, I think it would be a little easier. Andrew Kramer, the resident guru of After Effects uses is quite extensively. I will install it today and see how it works, but in the meantime, you can look at Andrew's site
http://www.videocopilot.net
There are some fantastic examples there.
As well, I can PMl you my setting for CC Particle World, if you like