Mesh : Mesh

Owned by thomas (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 21 Feb, 2019 by Hector Artal (Unlicensed)
3 min read

Here, mesh's shape and quality level are adjusted.

 

 

It is possible to combine two or more fluid container under a single mesh node. Alternatively you can add additional "Mesher" nodes and mesh each fluid separately.

TP Group

RealFlow | Cinema 4D is capable of meshing Thinking Particles particle groups. It is even possible to combine → Thinking Particles with RealFlow | Cinema 4D particles. In order to add a particle group follow these steps:

  • Open Simulation >Thinking Particles > Thinking Particles Settings...
  • From the window, drag an entry from "Particle Groups" to the "TP Group" field.
  • RealFlow | Cinema 4D fluids can be converted into Thinking Particles by checking Fluid > Particles > Create Thinking Particles.
Topology

You can choose the topology of the output mesh between quads and triangles.

Resolution

This is the mesh's quality level: the better the quality, the more polygons, and the longer the mesh creation time. Choose from five levels.

Radius

To create the mesh, RealFlow | Cinema 4D creates spheres around the particles and blends them. The size of these spheres is controlled here:

  • The quality of the mesh also depends on the number of particles, and more particles create better meshes.
  • With small "Radius" values and a low number of particles the mesh might look eroded or you will even see individual spheres.
  • With high settings you might lose detail and mesh looks blobby with thick borders.
  • You can refine the mesh with the "Smooth" parameter.
  • The value corresponds with Cinema 4D's "Project Scale" und "Project Settings" (Ctrl/Cmd + D) and is updated accordingly when the unit is changed, e.g. from "Centimeters" to "Meters".
Smooth

A value of 4 or 5 is sufficient in most cases. Higher values (6-7) can be used to close small holes in the fluid or remove unwanted patterns. With settings of 8 and more, many details will be lost.

Thinning

This filter is an easy-to-use method to improve the mesh's overall quality. Valid values range between 0 (no thinning) to 1 (maximum). We recommend settings between 0.1 and 0.3.

Relax

This type stretches and sharpens the mesh’s edges and gives you a much more natural look. Valid values range between 0 (no thinning) to 1 (maximum). We recommend values between 0.1 and 0.3, and alter “Relax Iterations” instead. Over-relaxed meshes have sharp borders and a stringy look.

Relax Iterations

A few notes on this parameter:

  • Valid values range between 0 to 10.
  • Higher values mean less mesh detail.
  • High values in conjunction with high "Relax" settings might produce unrealistic results, unless you really want to achieve a certain effect, e.g. liquid metal.
Auto Mesh Normals

When this option is active

  • the RealFlow | Cinema 4D mesh engine will create the normals to create best result in terms of flicker and jitter effects
  • Cinema 4D's "Phong" tag will not have any effect on the mesh.

When this option is inactive

  • the mesh's normal quality is usually not so good as with "Auto Mesh Normals" turned on
  • it is possible to use the "Phong" tag's settings to improve the mesh's render quality
  • you can apply the new "Polygon Reduction" tool to the meshes.
Motion Blur Strength

Here it is possible to control the strength of the motion blur effect. The value acts like a multiplier.

Auto Build

When enabled the mesh will be recreated automatically once you have changed a mesh parameter. When disabled you have to click on "Build Mesh".

Build Mesh

A click on this button recreates the mesh with the new settings. If you want to apply changes automatically enable "Auto Build".