The document provides an introduction to 3D modeling and simulation in visual effects (VFX), focusing on particle systems, physics-based modeling, and various simulation tools available in 3ds Max. It offers insights into soft and rigid body dynamics, fluid simulations, and crowd simulation applications across different industries, highlighting specific tools like MassFX, FumeFX, and TyFlow. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of using physics engines for creating realistic visual effects and the potential of these technologies in various sectors.

1. 2672QCA 3D MODELLING
FOR VISUALISATION

2. SIMULATION AND VFX
Introduction to particle systems, forces and effectors,
and physics-based modelling.

3. SIMULATION USES
3DS MAX TOOLS
A list of physics simulation tools
for 3DS Max.
WHAT IS 3D SIMULATION?
Introduction to simulation
systems for modelling and VFX.
Major categories for using
physics simulations
LECTURE CONTENTS
OTHER APPLICATIONS
VFX is a large industry. Let’s
explore the most prominent
systems.
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4. “The CGI landscape is another world. It
has its own physical laws; it can defy
gravity.
But surely the wonder of cinematic space
is that it is wedded to reality?”
一GEOFF DYER

5. WHAT IS 3D SIMULATION?
01
Introduction to simulation
systems for modelling and VFX.

6. 3D SIMULATION
3D Simulation is an incredibly important part of Computer Graphics.
By utilising physics engines to generatively produce 3D graphics, we gain the ability to
rapidly and accurately produce visual effects and simulations.
These engines provide enormous potential for a broad spectrum of industries.

7. SIMULATION USES
Major categories for using physics
simulations.
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8. A broad range of engines exist within simulation and VFX. Each engine provides capabilities
to complete one or more of the following simulations:
SIMULATION USES
• Soft and Rigid bodies
• Forces and Effectors
• Fire and Smoke
• Fluid (Metablob/Particle)
• Crowds

9. Soft and Rigid bodies are generally implemented within a physics simulated animation.
Rigid bodies are strong, solid forms that are unable to be impacted or moved due to physics
simulation. Generally, rigid bodies are either static or pre-animated objects that are used as collision
objects.
Soft bodies can have a flexible skin (mesh-based) and can both change shape and physical location
due to animated impact.
SOFT AND RIGID BODIES

10. SOFT AND RIGID BODIES

11. Space warps create "force fields" that deform other objects, creating the effect of ripples, waves,
blowing wind, and so on.
Space warps are nonrenderable objects that affect the appearance of other objects. Space warps
behave somewhat like modifiers, except that space warps influence world space rather than object
space, as geometric modifiers do.
Some common Forces are:
FORCES AND EFFECTORS (SPACE WARPS)
• Gravity
• Vortex (Tornado)
• Wind
• Pbomb (Particle bomb causing outward force from centre)
• Path Follow (Particles follow spline)

12. Within the field of VFX, fire and smoke is among the most prominent uses of fluid simulations.
Fire is simulated with energetic particles with a glowing red-hot shader, while smoke is emulated
using gas simulation properties.
FIRE AND SMOKE

13. Fluid simulation is arguably the most common field of physics-based simulation.
Most CG VFX software is used to calculate particle motion, self-collision, and varying forms of
viscosity to portray realistic fluids.
FLUIDS

14. Crowd simulation is a useful tool across many varying industries.
Game Design and Cinematic VFX were some of the first industries to implement full artificial crowd
simulation to populate CG environments.
More recently, Arch Vis and Civil Engineering firms have utilised the precise nature of artificial
intelligence for crowd analysis.
This engine uses “smart” particle objects (the people) as individual particles within the simulation
engine. Each member of the crowd can contain flocking mechanisms, as well as avoidance
calculations.
CROWDS

15. CROWDS

16. 3DS MAX TOOLS
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A list of physics simulation tools
for 3DS Max.

17. MassFX for 3ds Max provides a toolset for adding realistic physics simulations to your project.
This plug-in emphasizes 3ds Max-specific workflows, using modifiers and helpers to annotate
the simulation aspects of your scene.
MassFX simulations use rigid bodies: objects that do not change shape during the simulation.
Also available for use in simulations is the mCloth modifier, which lets cloth objects participate
fully in simulations.
Running the simulation combines the outcome of the physics calculations with your own
predefined animations. The result displays entirely within the viewports, in real time or near-
real time, depending on scene complexity.
MASS FX

18. MASS FX

19. The Cloth modifier is the heart of the Cloth system, and is applied to all objects in your scene
that need to be part of the Cloth simulation.
This is where you define cloth and collision objects, assign properties, and execute the
simulation.
Other controls include creating constraints, interactively dragging the cloth, and erasing parts
of the simulation.
CLOTH MODIFIER

20. Particle Flow is a versatile, powerful particle system for 3ds Max. It employs an event-driven
model, using a special dialog called Particle View.
In Particle View, you combine individual operators that describe particle properties such as
shape, speed, direction, and rotation over a period of time into groups called events.
Each operator provides a set of parameters, many of which you can animate to change particle
behaviour during the event. As the event transpires, Particle Flow continually evaluates each
operator in the list and updates the particle system accordingly.
PARTICLE FLOW

21. Using Fluids, you can simulate the physical properties of such liquids as water, oil, honey, and
lava as well as replicate the effect of gravity, collisions with objects, and disruptions by motion
fields in order to achieve your desired result.
FLUIDS

22. OTHER APPLICATIONS
VFX is a large industry. Let’s
explore the most prominent
systems.
04

23. Chaos Phoenix is capable of a wide range of effects including fire, smoke, liquids, flames,
explosions, rigid body simulations, ocean waves, mist and splashes to list just a few.
Quick presets and fast setup make it easy to get started, and its powerful simulation engine
offers complete control over more complex effects.
Documentation: https://www.chaosgroup.com/phoenix-fd/3ds-max/tutorial-videos
Showcase: https://www.chaosgroup.com/phoenix-fd/3ds-max#showcase
PHOENIX FD (3DS MAX PLUGIN)
FIRE, FLUID

24. FumeFX is a powerful fluid dynamics plugin-in for Autodesk 3ds max, designed for simulation
and rendering of realistic fire, smoke, explosions and other gaseous phenomena.
Unrivalled in its ability to capture the subtlety and complexity of fluid gas behaviour it is
favoured among visual effects artists, game developers, visualization professionals and
everyone else who demand the utmost in realism.
Documentation: http://docs.afterworks.com/Welcome.htm
Showcase: https://www.afterworks.com/Gallery.asp
FUMEFX (3DS MAX PLUGIN)
FLUID DYNAMICS

25. tyFlow is an unofficial replacement for 3ds Max’s Particle Flow.
It is not merely an upgrade to Particle Flow — rather, it was created from scratch with a design
philosophy focused on squeezing as much speed and power out of modern multi-core systems
as possible. Its layout, UI and workflow are very similar to Particle Flow’s, so that anyone with
past experience using Particle Flow will have no trouble making the switch.
Documentation: https://docs.tyflow.com/
Showcase: https://www.instagram.com/_tyflow_/
TYFLOW (3DS MAX PLUGIN)
COMPREHENSIVE

26. Visual effects artists gravitate to Houdini because its procedural workflow is ideal for creating
sophisticated particle and dynamic simulations.
Effects are typically designed to react to actions taking place in a shot and a procedural
solution “automates” these reactions providing studios with more creative control and more
rapid turnaround.
Documentation: https://www.sidefx.com/learn/
Showcase: https://www.sidefx.com/gallery/
SIDEFX HOUDINI (STANDALONE)
COMPREHENSIVE

27. Marvelous Designer is a popular 3D software used by many artists to create dynamic 3D
clothing for video games, 3D art, DAZ/Poser, iClone, 3D animations, VR experiences, digital
doubles in films and more.
Also, some architects use MD to create pillows, bed covers, towels, curtains, or clothing to hang
in their closets.
Documentation: https://marvelousdesigner.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/360002380252-
Tutorials
Showcase: https://www.marvelousdesigner.com/discover/cases
MARVELOUS DESIGNER (STANDALONE)
CLOTH SIMULATION

28. MARVELOUS DESIGNER (STANDALONE)
CLOTH SIMULATION

29. THANKS!
Does anyone have any questions?