Beer simulation in 3DS Max

Introduction

In this tutorial we will be creating an animation of filling a glass with beer using 3DAliens’ Glu3d GPU fluid dynamics simulation plugin, Thinkbox’s Krakatoa and Frost. After simulating the liquid we will export the Glu3d GPU particles in PRT format and will then use Krakatoa to process them using the Magmaflow modifier to separate the foam particles, bubble particles, main beer stream and beer particles inside the glass from the main particle source. That is, we will be extracting all these elements from the original liquid simulation.

Frost will be used to mesh those particles and Iray for rendering. We will also go through the materials for beer, bubbles and foam to complete the final rendering, exploring the use of the “IRAY Material” and “IRAY matte environment” shader. All scene files provided are made using 3DS Max 2013 and Glu3d GPU version 1.80.147.

Subjects covered: filling a glass with beer using Glu3D GPU for fluid simulation, isolating particles using Krakatoa’s Magmaflow modifier, meshing particles using Frost, creating beer materials, rendering with Iray.

The Tutorial

Part 1 – Simulating the liquid using Glu3D GPU and isolating particles using Krakatoa

Part 2 – Meshing particles using Frost and rendering with Iray

Download the files available for this tutorial:
– Beer_Sim_Start.max
– Beer_Sim_FirstPart_Finished.max
– Beer_Sim_SecondPart_Finished.max
Download Beer_Tutorial_Files.zip.

Related links:
Glu3d GPU’s website – you can download a demo of the latest version of Glu3d GPU which is 1.80.147, it works with 3DS Max 2013 x64
Thinkbox Software – developers of Krakatoa and Frost
Iray matte environment shader and how to use it – Iray renderer’s blog
Iray material for 3DS Max – NVidia’s ARC forum
Both shaders at NVidia’s ARC forum – You can check first 2 sticky threads to download both of the above shaders
You can do it! VFX’s website – Alternatively, you can download the Iray Manager 2013 script from this website, which includes both of the above shaders.

Jignesh Jariwala is a Freelance 3D/VFX Artist from Surat, India. He has been freelancing for several years for producers and studios from the USA and Russia. His work focuses on lighting, look development, rendering, visualization, particle FX and natural phenomena. You can find more about his work, R&D and tutorials on JHJariwala.com.