Mesh Rendering

RealFlow | Cinema 4D particles are differently coloured according to their velocities:

 

 

When you take a look at the "Mesher" object you will recognize three "Vertex Maps" tags representing the fluid's velocity split into X,Y, and Z components:

 

 

The vertex maps can be used to visualize the fluid's velocity differences in the rendered image, adding some extra realism:

  • Create a material, and open the “Color” panel.
  • There, choose Texture > Colorizer
  • Click on the black square. 




  • In the new dialogue you will find another “Texture” option and a gradient.
  • Change the gradient to your needs.
  • Open Texture > Effects, select “Vertex Map”, and click on the white square.

 

 

  • Drag one of the mesh node's vertex map tags to the empty “Vertex Map” slot.

 

 

Render an image to see the effect. If the result does not meet your expectations, for example when it lacks contrast, then

  • increase or decrease Mesh > Channels > Channel name > Scale to change the ratio between the colored areas and render until you get the desired result.

 

A mesh's "Velocity X" channel rendered with Scale = 1.0 and Scale = 1.5.

 

A preview in the viewport is possible, but you have to make the "Mesher" object editable, and that means that you cannot make changes anymore. Then, click through the vertex maps.