Cloudscape

An artistic scene I made while testing Keyshot’s VDB import function. The clouds were simulated with TurbulenceFD. I wanted to go for a “dreamy” feel, so I used an exaggerated amount of translucency on the trees and a sun with no sky for lighting.

4 Likes

Really cool.

I’m interested in TurbulenceFD. What is the workflow when pairing with Keyshot? If I wanted to try out TFD would I get the one for C4D or for Lightwave3D?

1 Like

Thank you!
I use Cinema 4D, so I cannot speak for Lightwave 3D.
In my experience, the workflow is pretty straightforward. You make the simulation in Cinema 4D, and it builds a cache within a specified folder. The cache is saved as one .BCF file per frame, which cannot be used in Keyshot. However, a converter for these files is included, but it is kind of hidden in the plugin installation directory. Once you find the converter’s exe, you just drag and drop the cache folder containing the .BCF files into the exe and new .VDB files will be generated. In Keyshot, you need to create an object and give it a volumetric material, then in the “density” texture, you select the .VDB file (Or files). The volume will load, and will be contained in whatever shape the object you chose to create has. Keep in mind that when using multiple objects with different volumetrics, the place where these objects intersect will create visual artifacts, so the optimal workflow would be to solve everything in the simulation, then load a single .VDB inside an object. Either that or separated volumes that do not intersect, like the clouds in the image.

I’m not sure if you know EmberGen, it’s a bit of a new kid on the block but does real time fire/smoke/explosion simulations. And they are working on fluid if I’m right. It can export VDB’s but also image sequences. I never really used it in a project but because it’s real time it’s already cool to play with fire and put some more fuel on.

EmberGen: Real-Time Fluid Simulations For Fire, Smoke, And Explosions! (jangafx.com)

Found a LiquidGen example as well:
(7) LiquiGen: Real-time Liquid Simulations - Whitewater R&D - YouTube

1 Like

Never heard of it. Looks really interesting! Definitely gonna check it out.

1 Like