Viewport Configuration

Owned by thomas (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 23 Jun, 2015
3 min read

RealFlow's viewport provides a wide variety of options for displaying simulation data, screen captions, and scene nodes.

 

 

A) Display Info

The list on the viewport's left side contains all scene elements with detailed information like number of particles, scale, position, number of vertices or polygons etc. The list's visibility can be changed under

Preferences > Display > Display Info

B) Time Code (TC) and Simulation Time (ST)

“Simulation Time” tells you for how long the current scene is calculating. “Time Code” is the current frame given in hours : minutes : seconds : frames. “Frames” depends on the currently adjusted frame rate – this value can be changed under

Simulation Options > General > FPS Output

Here is where to find RealFlow's scene-based "Simulation Options":

 

C) Grid

RealFlow's grid is subdivided into squares of 1 m x 1 m (at scale 1.0). The grid's dimension is 100m by 100 m. Both values can be changed here:

Preferences > Display > Miscellanea

There it is also possible to change the viewport's background colours. Toggle the grid's visibility with the G key.

D) Edit Frame

Some nodes, for example the → “DSpline” daemon or the → “ESpline” emitter, have an edit mode for adjusting control points and spline tangents. When the edit mode is enabled you will see a yellow frame around the viewport. There are also tips in the edit frame's lower left corner about how to use the edit tool. The frame disappears when you select another node or disable the edit mode.

E) Axis Setup

The axis cross in the viewport's lower left corner is adjusted dynamically when you change the point of view. The colours represent the three spatial directions:

  • X = red
  • Y = green
  • Z = blue

RealFlow's axis setup can be changed to match your 3D software. Please go to

Preferences > Miscellanea > Axis Setup

F) Top Right Caption

This is optional information. RealFlow provides several variables for displaying the scene's name, the current FPS rate, or the frame number – to name but a few. But, it is also possible to enter a custom string, e.g. your (studio's) name under:

Preferences > Preview > Top Right Caption

An example:

$(SCENENAME) - Preview @ $(FPS) fps / Current frame = $(FRAME)

The first variable $(SCENENAME) prints the project's name to the viewport, followed by the adjusted frame rate, $(FPS). Finally the current frame, $(FRAME) is attached. A complete output could look like this:

Hybrido_City_Flood_Ver_1.4_120814 – Preview @ 25 fps / Current frame = 428

 

To activate the caption, please go to

View > Show Preview Caption

G) Multi-Views/Disabling the Viewport

By default, RealFlow's viewport consists of a single panel showing a perspective view of the simulation space. If you want to split the viewport please click on the “split” icon (see below). You can choose from “Split Vertical”, “Split Horizontal”, and “Split Quad”.

Please note that split viewports can increase simulation time, because RealFlow has to update several views and this can be a CPU-intensive task. We therefore recommend using a single viewport while simulating, and disabling it to save time (up to 30%) with Alt + D