thinkingParticles 6 Drop 8 VDB Getting Started # 1 by Edwin Braun
12In this video, Edwin Braun tells you how to get started with the latest VDB Update drop for thinkingParticles version 6. Compatible with 3dsMax 2020, 2019, 2018.
SAMPLE SCENE: openvdb_initiator.max (volume effects)
First tip is to check out the many amazing sample scenes that builds into the large library of scenes with every new Drop, and available with the purchase of thinkingparticles
( www.cebas.com/thinkingParticles )
WHY CEBAS THINKING PARTICLES IS UNIQUE
- the OpenVDB in tP is connected to particles since our plugin is all about giving greater power to creating effects with procedural particles. This is a most advanced implementation when it comes to OpenVDB. This means that the Volume Data in the VDB is stored in the particle(s). This is unique to cebas thinkingParticles and will enhanced flexibility in creating even more refined and powerful effects / FX. So, for starters, to use VDB in tP drop 8, you always need a particle that is handled as a Volumetric particle in order to make use of the VDB.
CREATING A VOLUME FROM SCRATCH -
In the Master Dynamic set:
- CREATE menu (VDB): we have two PositionBorn and one Point3 helper (supplies the positioning of the particles); PistolShot is used to create one particle in this example, stored in the Field Particle group;
- In this example, so the PositionBorn is the particle that contains the VDB: in other words, you have the flexibility of creating multiple particles/ multiple fields/ multiple volumes, all with it's own VDB setup - it can be different or similar - Xtreme Power in flexible!
OPENVDB Node
- OpenVDB node is the main node to add as a place-holder (note: this node is not going to create anything, it serves as a place-holder and helps as a container to manage how you store your stuff; the type of data and how it is access, for example. BUT it is not the Volume Data itself so don't confuse this.)
- Then, once you have this place-holder node, go to the right-side menu: 'Create' menu - 'OpenVDB', right-click and Add your fields which is now a VDB. In this video, we use the Distance field;
- AGAIN, note that by this Distance field (the type) in the OpenVDB, it is not an effect but you have created a place-holder or a Container for storing data - in this example: named as 'Real Dense Data'. It is best practice in a complex scene creation to properly name or tag your Containers. Note too the Type, which is very important so here this is a Distance field. You can create as many volume fields as you want with this method.
- The other thing to note in this procedure - is all the fields/types you Create on the right-side VDB menu will be accessible on the OpenVDB node that you see on the Master Dynamic window and you can rename it to whatever you like.
- Here we start with showing you a simple particles emission setup;
INITIATOR VDB Node
- For this quick tutorial, Edwin is using the Initial Cell Mode - a simple box with volumetric particles where you can managed the X-Y-Z volume;
- Renaming OpenVDB Container to 'my special volume for fog': and from this OpenVDB Container, you will be able to access and create using the InitiatorVDB and AccumulateVDB
- for illustration of how-to, let's create another scalar example say, 'fog'. Go to InitiatorVDB menu under 'Grid', and you can now access the 'fog' and make effects with it.
- Initialize the field - Float helper - value: 0.1; - see Accumulate VDB to continue.
ACCUMULATE VDB
- InitiatorVDB is wired to AccumulateVDB, and Edwin uses the AccumulateVDB menu's Combine/Summate to help sum up the value of 0.1: 0.1+0.1+0.1.....infinity. This creates an effect when the particles hit the box, more particles are created.
SHOW VDB
- ShowVDB menu - Grid/Scalar to see how the grid looks like: you can also adjust the Left or Right / Vector values.
INITIATOR VDB - INITIAL CELL MODE
- Select 'Particle Present' in Initial Cell Mode; after selecting Particle Present, you can then select the Present PGroup meaning now it will get the information from the particles and fill in the cells.
NOTE 1: there are different ways of setting up a volumetric particles effect, this is only one way.
NOTE 2: in our last DROP8 shipment, tP has 167 Files (scenes inclusive).
However, if you are a tp4 user you have by now a total of 487 if you started with tP4 so lets say you got until today around 500 sample files (that is not all scenes it is also textures and such but lets say sample files
SCENE EXAMPLE 2 (limited description, pls watch video)
- ObjToParticle - wires to ShapeToVolumeVDB: instance the shape in this case, a 'cloud'. In this example, what ShapeToVolume VDB does is it takes your Mesh and creates a Volume out of it: a narrow band vol field / a Signed Distance field. How to Export/ make cloud.
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Educational license, email info@cebas.com
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