Next Limit has released RealFlow RenderKit 2014, now free to all users. While RealFlow 2014 is a standalone 3D application for working with physics-based fluids that works in conjunction with professional 3D application packages, the RealFlow RenderKit 2014 is an additional component that works to provide streamlining options for the RealFlow workflow.
RealFlow 2014 works across both Mac, Windows and Linux platforms and the RenderKit works through compatible systems. Cinema 4D, LightWave, 3ds Max, Maya, softimage, and Houdini are all supported. With the exception of Max all of these programs are supported on both Mac and Windows and often Linux operating systems.
RealFlow RenderKit 2014 – Details
RealFlow works by implementing particle simulations directly in the RealFlow 2014 application. Model data from your 3D application (e.g.: see list above) are brought into RealFlow where it can interact with the particle simulations. Once those simulations are complete there are two options in RealFlow 2014 for moving this work product back to your 3D application for final work and rendering and animation.
01 – RealFlow 2014 now includes free RealFlow RenderKit 2014. (image capture from vimeo RealFlow 2014 demo video)
One can mesh within RealFlow itself to generate the geometry to import back into the 3D application, or skip the process of meshing by using the RealFlow RenderKit. The connectivity plugins help establish the
You import the simulated particles using the connectivity plugins and use them to define characteristics, such as mesh the particles or or implement as a consistent mass of fluid. The RealFlow RenderKit will then generate this at render time. The RenderKit helps speed the entire process along, and therefore is a nice advance in the software technology. The 3D application (e.g.: Cinema 4D) will then render the simulated fluids in the final animations.
With extra machines holding RealFlow RenderKit (RFRK) licenses, the entire process of rendering all the frames in a sequence can be sped up dramatically by splitting the frames to different RFRK slave render machines.
A complete discussion of this process can be found here on the Next Limit website. For users of RealFlow 2014, the new RenderKit is now free and has been available for download since just before Christmas holiday break.
To learn more about Next Limit, makers of RealFlow 2014 and the popular Maxwell rendering application, visit here.