How do RealFlow's different applications, tools and plugins work together? We created a video where you can follow the process from a simulation to a rendered finish:
RealFlow
The fluid simulation is set up in RealFlow using the Standard License with the User Interface (GUI)
RealFlow Nodes
If you want to save yourself time and free-up your GUI machine, the scene can either be split up (using IDOCs) or sent in its entirety to be simulated on a Node machine. Doing this allows for simulations to run in unison – meaning you do not have to sit idle while simulations are calculated, but can continue to work on the main server or variations in the GUI.
3D Platform
Once complete, the simulation is then exported (via connectivity plugins or the Alembic I/O format) to the 3D platform. You can also import your scene from your 3D platform into RealFlow so the fluids can be calculated around these objects and react accordingly.
The RealFlow RenderKit
Once the scene is complete, it will be sent to be rendered. The RenderKit is an invaluable tool to help with the complex task of rendering RealFlow fluids, making the whole process easier and faster, as it allows you to mesh your particles at rendertime.
You will need one RenderKit per machine in your render farm.