Realistic Flowing water

[Matthew Loughran]

I am trying to achive a realistic feature in a high end lobby area for an animation. I aim to have a small pool with water running down a 2 metre wall into the pool the, scene will have some soft lighting behind the water, which i would like the effects of to be affected by the water. My initial thoughts were real flow or reator with particles within max 8, i will be using max 8 for the scene and combustion for the compositing, just wondered if anyone had any ideas tips or trick on how this effect is best achieved?

[Brian Cassil]

You could certainly use Real Flow and get great results but it may be overkill, and unless you already have it a know how to use it I would suggest something else. In max you have PFlow to use for that sort of thing, I don't think reactor would really get you anywhere for this sort of effect.

 

You might even be able to fake the effect by using a couple of planes with an animated noise map. I've done this and if you aren't getting too close it looks pretty good.

[Matthew Loughran]

Thanks brian, i have downloaded the trail version of real flow and i agree that it is probably going to be abit overkill, but the flowing water may become a close up feature of the animation depending how well i can get it to work, I will give Pflow ago and see where i get.

Thanks again

[gkoumout]

so what if your a beginning VIZ user and need a similar effect. basically what would be the best way to work with water. where to start out? thanks

[mooney102]

Hey Matthew, any luck with that water situation? I am currently at the same issue. Not sure if I should use real flow or particles. Can't really seem to get particles working correctly.