File Formats (A-M)

Owned by thomas (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 29 Jun, 2015
3 min read

Cache Files

Cache file formats are required by RealFlow to display the simulation data in the viewport, → create previews, or to resume a simulation after an interruption. An example:

  • Let's assume you simulate a standard particle “Circle” emitter.
  • Under “Export Central” you disable “Particle cache (.bin)” and enable “Particle sequence (.pdc)” for direct use in Maya.
  • During simulation you will observe that the → timeline bar does not turn orange. This orange bar indicates the simulation's progress and the already cached files.
  • It is not possible to resume or replay the simulation.
  • The reason is that “Particle sequence (.pdc)” is not a RealFlow cache format – the PDC files can be written, but not be read.

File Formats (A-M)

Alembic Animation (.abc)

This format stores motion and deformation data from rigid bodies, soft bodies, and cameras in a single file.

Alembic sequence (.abc)

This format stores one file per frame and includes particles from RealWave surface with enabled → “Particle layer" option. ASS supports channels – you can activate and deactivate them on demand. Double-click on the “No compression” option to choose a compression level between 1 (lowest) and 9 (highest).

Animation (.sd) | ANIMATION (.sd)

This cache format stores motion and deformation data from rigid bodies, soft bodies, and cameras in a single file. Please take a look at → “Quick Start Workflows - Using the Cache Mode” for more information about how to work with objects and SD files. SD are supported by the → connectivity plugins.

Arnold Scene Source (.ass)

This format stores one file per frame. ASS supports channels in conjunction with particles – you can activate and deactivate them on demand. Double-click on the “No compression” option to choose a compression level between 1 (lowest) and 9 (highest).

CACHE (.bdc)

This cache format stores one file per frame, and includes motion and deformation data from rigid and soft bodies.

Fields cache (.gfc)

This cache format includes a Hybrido domain's field information and stores one file per frame. GFC supports channels - you can activate and deactivate them on demand. Double-click on the “No compression” option to choose a compression level between 1 (lowest) and 9 (highest).

Fields Cache -Field3D- (.f3d)

This cache format includes a Hybrido domain's field information and stores one file per frame. Field3D supports channels - you can activate and deactivate them on demand. Double-click on the “No compression” option to choose a compression level between 1 (lowest) and 9 (highest). VDB can be read by many 3D applications.

Fields Cache -OpenVDB- (.vdb)

This cache format includes a Hybrido domain's field information and stores one file per frame. VDB supports channels - you can activate and deactivate them on demand. Double-click on the “No compression” option to choose a compression level between 1 (lowest) and 9 (highest). VDB can be read by many 3D applications.

Geometry (.obj)

This format stores one file per frame and includes motion and deformation data from rigid and soft bodies.

Krakatoa Particle File Format (.prt) | Particles -Krakatoa- (.prt)

This format stores one particle file per frame. PRT supports channels – you can activate and deactivate them on demand.

Log (.txt)

This file contains the content of the → “Messages” window in ASCII format.

Maxwell scene (.mxs)

This format writes one file per frame and includes the scene's nodes for use in Maxwell Studio.

Mesh cache (.abc)

This cache format stores one Hybrido mesh file per frame. ABC supports channels - you can activate and deactivate them on demand. Double-click on the “No compression” option to choose a compression level between 1 (lowest) and 9 (highest).

Mesh cache (.ass)

This cache format stores one Hybrido mesh file per frame.

Mesh cache (.bin)

This cache format stores one particle mesh or Hybrido mesh file per frame – it only includes a limited number of channels. BINs are supported by the → RealFlow RenderKit and the → connectivity plugins.

Mesh sequence (.abc)

This format stores one particle mesh file per frame.

Mesh sequence (.ass)

This format stores one particle mesh file per frame

Mesh sequence (.md)

This format stores one particle mesh or Hybrido mesh file per frame. MD supports channels – you can activate and deactivate them on demand. MDs are supported by some → RealFlow RenderKit and → connectivity plugins version.

Mesh sequence (.obj)

This format stores one particle mesh or Hybrido mesh file per frame.

Mist cache (.f3d)

Field 3D is a cache format for volumetric data, stores one file per frame, and includes the density information from “Mist” domains.

Mist cache (.vdb)

This is a cache format for volumetric data, stores one file per frame, and includes the density information from “Mist” domains. Double-click on the “No compression” option to choose a compression level between 1 (lowest) and 9 (highest). VDB can be read by many 3D applications.