As we outline below, compressibility, while counter intuitive to many people, is a key approach to viable solutions.
In the area of computer graphics, the key pioneers were Nick Foster and Dimitris Metaxas, for computing incompressible and free-surface flows. Unfortunately, most methods for real world CFD are needlessly complex for visual effects fluid sims and scale poorly. Harlow and his team invented much of what we as an industry use today, including techniques we have explained below such as the the staggered marker-and-cell (MAC) grid structure, along with the Particle In Cell (PIC) method, which was the precursor to modern day FLIP, MPM and other hybrid methods (see below). One of the research institutes that had a major impact, back in the 60’s, was the T3 group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Historyīefore the computer graphics industry got involved, fluids simulation was being actively modeled mathematically as early as the 1950’s and 60’s. They may be used to model the weather, ocean currents, water flow in a pipe and air flow around a wing of an aeroplane, for example. The equations and maths of fluids are used to describe the physics of many things of academic and economic interest. The science of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or fluid sims has been used in engineering problems since the mid ’60s. Oil and water, or air and water together are examples of dual-phase simulations.įluid simulations (fluid sims) have many applications outside visual effects. The main difference between gases and liquids is that liquids have a free-surface and they are volume constrained, as opposed to gases which don’t, unless you are dealing with a dual or multiphase simulation in which more than one fluid is being simulated in the same dynamics system. Fluid dynamics is a complex area and fluid simulations are notoriously computationally expensive, yet when they work they can provide magnificent production value and breathtaking visual effects.įluid sims are not confined to just fluids either, they can be used to achieve fire and flames – the fluid being simulated in this scenario is the air itself (a gas). From pouring shots to ocean vistas, directors and artists have come to rely on computer simulated water and similar fluids. One of the most significant and commonly requested areas of real world simulation is fluid simulation. Introduction Fluid sims were used by Weta Digital in ‘X-Men: First Class’. We try and explain the science behind the fluid sims, and look at one in particular closely: Naiad, with help from our friends at Exotic Matter. Fluid sims have become such a vital part of so many visual effects films, yet are not well understood by most general artists.
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