Overview:

RealFlow is unique in that it is the first commercially available product to marry two previously functionally distinct approaches to real-world graphics simulation: particle systems and physics engines.

The RealFlow fluid simulation engine permits the realistic simulation of complex interactions between fluids and solids by merging a particle and physics engine to more accurately integrate and control the behavior of fluidic mass and surfaces with that of rigid and soft bodies.

As a physical simulator, RealFlow’s true value lies in returning ultimate control of the physics simulation process back to the user via a wide selection of simple modifiers that control fluid behavior and interaction, thus allowing fine-tuning of the physical characteristics of the elements within a simulation according to a set of user-defined parameters.

The integration of RealFlow with other 3D platforms depends on a two-way transfer of scene data between it and third party 3D applications like 3DStudio MAX, Maya, LightWave, XSI or Cinema 4D. These various applications employ different methods for transferring data in and out of RealFlow.

In this tutorial, scene data representing the objects we want in our animation will be exported from 3D Studio Max into RealFlow where it will used in the fluid simulation. The resulting animation will be imported back into 3D Studio Max as part of our scene and rendered. The tutorial is divided into three sections.

1. Setting up the scene data within our third party 3D application and exporting it to RealFlow.
2. Using the imported scene data, performance of the fluid simulation within RealFlow.
3. Importing the completed simulation data back into 3rd Party 3D application for rendering.