Storm Presents HydroFX 1.0, an Independent FLIP Fluid Simulator
The software studio Storm has released version 1.0 of HydroFX, a tool specialized in simulating fluids. This program operates as a standalone application and offloads all the computational load to the GPU, offering an agile workflow for visual effects artists and animators. 🚀
Architecture and Simulation Method
The core of the software uses the FLIP (Fluid Implicit Particle) method, which integrates particles with a mesh to achieve highly detailed liquid behavior. By processing on the graphics card, the time required to resolve complex scenes is drastically reduced. Its design allows artists to set up and test water simulations and other liquids without needing a main 3D package, although they can later integrate the results into their usual pipelines.
Main Features of the Environment:- Own environment to define emitters, collision objects, and external forces.
- Precise control over physical parameters such as viscosity and surface tension.
- Ability to save simulation data in open formats for use in other tools.
HydroFX offers an efficient alternative for studios that need to simulate large volumes of liquid with a high level of detail.
Integration into Production Pipelines
One of the strengths of this tool is its flexibility. The data it generates can be imported into programs like Houdini, Maya, or Blender using specific plugins. This makes it a modular piece that can be adapted to different production environments without altering the central workflow.
Workflow Advantages:- Optimizes hardware resources by using only the GPU for heavy simulations.
- Allows testing and adjusting simulations in isolation, freeing up the main 3D software.
- Facilitates collaboration between simulation specialists and compositing or animation artists.
Development Plan and Business Model
The Storm team already has a plan to evolve HydroFX. Among the planned features are simulating foam and bubbles, as well as improving how it interacts with other dynamic systems. The software is marketed with a one-time payment license model, without recurring subscriptions. This provides a stable and predictable solution for studios looking to control their long-term costs while incorporating advanced fluid simulation capabilities into their projects. 💧