Importing SD Files

SD is RealFlow's standard geometry format and supported by the → connectivity plugins. SD files support triangulated objects, key-based animation, vertex displacement, and UV coordinates.

• SD files are loaded to RealFlow with Ctrl/Cmd + I.

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There are a few more things about SD files you should know:

• It is not possible to load more than SD per scene with Ctrl/Cmd + I, but a SD file can contain more than one object.

• Multiple SD files can be imported with Geometry shelf > MultiBody, but here you will not have access to the file's individual elements.

• If you delete one object from an imported SD then the remaining objects will be removed as well. You will receive a warning in this case.

• UVs are taken from the SD in exactly the same way as they have been stored in your 3D program.

• SD files can be edited and changed externally without having to reimport them. To update an SD please use the Ctrl/Cmd + U shortcut.

• You will get a warning if an imported object's topology has changed after the update. If the object has been used in a simulation already you have to re-simulate.

• Normal direction is of particular importance, e.g. for collisions and fluid-object interaction. The normals can be made visible under Selected Node > Node Params > Display > Show normals.

• If you want to change their direction go to Selected Node > Node Params > Display > Normal facing > Reversed.

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By default, imported objects from SD files are locked to preserve their animation data. To unlock an object, click on

• Selected object > Node Params > Node > SD ↔ Curve

• All stored translations will be baked into animation keys.

• If the object contains vertex-based displacement this information will be lost, but can be restored.

• To get the previously stored information please click on “SD ↔ Curve” again. If the SD has been overwritten during simulation it is not possible to restore the original state.

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