RealFlow 2015 Brings Artistic Control to Fluid Simulations

For example,Spline nodesnow add extra controllability to RealFlow simulations. Spline curves can be created interactively, or imported using the SVG 2D graphics format, and then be used to emit fluid or control the Spline Daemon forces.

TheRealFlow interfaceitself has been updated to make using it more intuitive for artists. TheRelationship editorhas a more compact appearance to optimize space, and also shows the nodes icons, adding visual clues that speed up interaction. TheNodespanel also has a new section of one-click buttons to deal with the typical node actions such as simulation status, files export, visibility and shading, speeding up the common workflows.

Theparameterssection is also easier to work with. For example, sliders change values with the middle mouse button, there are Curve and Ramp widgets, as well as the ability to keyframe with a single click, lock parameters and enter expressions easily. Users can now add notes for colleagues to nodes, and nodes with editable parameters, such as the new spline curves, now display visual clues on the viewport to help guide the user on how to start approaching the features.

RealFlow 2015Dyverso solversaccelerate small to medium scale simulations substantially. These solvers, bothDY-SPHandDY-PBD, have been rewritten from scratch and with the ability to take advantage of the GPU and other new hardware options. Scenes that in previous RealFlow versions might have taken hours to simulate can now be simulated in a few minutes.

One of RealFlow 2015’s biggest changes is the ability to render a scene directly in the application in a few steps - import your scene, add the fluids and render them out from RealFlow. The power for this comes from, of course, theMaxwell Renderphysically-based render engine.

RealFlow 2015 now comes withOpenVDB meshingas the default for both Particles and Hybrido fluids systems. With OpenVDB meshing, users can now get faster results and, by using the new volume filters, fine tuning the look of the meshes is also easier.

Hybrido collisionsalso improve following a more in depth integration of OpenVDB algorithms in RealFlow 2015. Hybrido is RealFlow's grid fluid solver, a method of simulating medium and large-scale fluids that includes the automatic creation of secondary splash and foam particles, and mist. HybridoFlipsimulations, in which particles carry the velocity information, are now faster as well. They have more accurate collisions and better memory management, especially when working with complex geometry and fast moving objects.

A newcrown daemonis a fast way to create a very attractive, favourite fluid effect in just a few steps. Once users define the shape of the splash crown they want to create, the fluid will follow that shape. It activates at a specified time, and for the time the user decides the force to have an effect.

The newDaemons Falloffcontrols give the users options to artistically shape the way Daemon forces affect the RealFlow simulations. Due to the improvements to the user interface, controls such as spline curves can now be made to drive very detailed effects.

A new tool for creatingtexthas also been added and appears in two locations in the shelves and operates in two different ways. In theSplines shelf, the text tool can be used to create splines emitters and forces. In theObjects Shelf, the tool generates text as native RealFlow primitive objects.

The newSpreadsheets Panelin particular allows much more flexibility, control and customization over almost any of the simulation elements. Parameter values can be located, accessed and changed directly in the spreadsheet. Users, both RealFlow artists and TDs, can now visualize, filter, modify and delete particle and object values in a straightforward way, in turn speeding up workflows and turnarounds.

Finally, RealFlow is now more accessible with the newdual work-and-home licensingoption. This means freelancers have a choice to set up a floating server at work and continue working at home with their node-locked license. A Maxwell Render license also comes with RealFlow 2015. www.realflow.com