SF - Adding Plugins

Please read the introduction to “Simulation Flow” to become familiar with its mode of operation . There, you will also find a description of how to add new plugins.

Since version 5, RealFlow also offers the possibility of extending the software's functionality with custom plugins. For this purpose, a C++ SDK has been created. With this reference and various examples, users are now able to write and compile their own programs and make use of C's many advantages. Inside RealFlow, plugins are treated like scripts or graphs: they can be executed as batch tools, daemons, fluid solvers or simulation events. In many cases, C++ plugins are split into a command part (e.g. to call a GUI where users make their settings) and an events part that is run during the simulation and processes the user's input.

To attach a plugin to a simulation event, C-knowledge is not required and RealFlow does not provide any editors or environments for programming in C++. Simply right-click on the desired event in the simulation tree and choose “Add from plugin”. A file browser appears and you can choose the plugin from your local computer. It will be hooked to the selected event and can now be used, but not edited or changed, because they are compiled.

It is possible to attach as many plugins as required and they can also be combined with scripts or graphs, they can be switched on or off, and shifted to other branches of the simulation tree.