Tips for making fire?

[wannabeartist]

Hi all,

 

I'm working on a scene that would really benefit from a fire effect - in a fire place.

 

I've been searching for quite a while now but just about all tutorials I can find require FumeFX or some other expensive plug-in. I was surprised that there's not any more material on the subject or Max dynamics in general.

 

Is there a way to make realistic looking fire with just plain Max, without plug-ins? With particle flow or something else?

 

Thanks!

[braddewald]

I was just faced with this problem for my image here. What I did was use a few intersecting planes with a vraylightmaterial. The vraylightmaterial has a fire bitmap for the diffuse and its alpha channel in the transparency slot. Then some photoshop to clean it up in post.

[wannabeartist]

Thanks,

 

That's definitely an option to consider. I was kind of hoping to use a particle system for this, but that might just be waste of time - my client is expecting a simple still image anyway.

 

I love your fire place by the way, looks awesome!

[braddewald]

Thanks!

[Tommy L]

Do it in post. Create some kind of pass that carries tracking points then buy a fire animation from istock or something similar, one that carries an alpha channel.

I just had to do an animation of a character carrying a flaming torch. I used this technique with success. Didnt fancy tackling a particle effect etc.

[cupsster]

If it should be static picture then bitmap is quite good solution.. Try to search @evermotion free stuff.. I think there are some free fire textures for download..

 

>> fire flames fuego llamas

Edited April 11, 2010 by cupsster
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[AJLynn]

Make some stick-shaped objects and apply a wood texture, then use Reactor and animate them rubbing together vigorously. Eventually it will start the fire for you. Make sure to uncheck "damp conditions" in the preferences.

[Nic H]

^

this is what i was going to suggest.

it will get the most natural results.

 

if you cant get that going model up some matches, particle systems arent worth the time for fire.

[Tommy L]

The 'Lighter' plugin from zippo is pretty good for making fire.

[wannabeartist]

Thanks for the ingenious ideas!

 

I think I go with the sticks. I should probably dry them first in a blazing hot sunny scene for a few frames before using them

 

No, seriously though, the post work ideas are starting to sound more and more appealing.

[Tommy Burns]

Make some stick-shaped objects and apply a wood texture, then use Reactor and animate them rubbing together vigorously. Eventually it will start the fire for you. Make sure to uncheck "damp conditions" in the preferences.

 

:D:D:D Very good!!