FumeFX 5.0 released

Sitni Sati has announced a new version of FumeFX, its fluid dynamics plugin for 3DS Max. Version 5.0, introduces workflow improvements, a redesigned core and several new features including the following.

Workflow

• FumeFX GPU accelerated display has been integrated within the 3DS Max viewport, including volumetric shadows, proper geometry occlusion and instant shader feedback. (supports 3DS Max 2016 and newer)
• Data preview has been changed to allow users to choose voxel display size.
• A new FumeFX toolbar has been added that provides access to FumeFX and source creation as well as simulation control.

Simulation

• A new conservative advection type that can create fluid flows that minimize numerical losses even after 900 frames of animation.
• A simulation core redesign that enables the use of complex geometry instead of using proxies without breaking the solver or causing instabilities.
• Smooth retiming regardless of simulation sub-steps and retiming scale factor.
• Up to 20% faster simulation (depending on the scene setup)
• Ability to retime simulation during the Wavelet Turbulence pass.
• Vorticity II optimizations include faster calculations and lower memory requirements.
• Improved simulation scaling. Grids of different spacing will result in similar simulations.
• Improved scaling with CPU cores used in the simulation.

I/O Subsystem

• A new lossy .fxd compression that allows per-channel compression quality and mixing of lossless and lossy channels inside the same cache file.
• Multithreaded .fxd I/O for ultra-fast caches saving and loading.
• Load caches at user-defined reduced resolution giving users easier viewport manipulation and rendering setup.
• Minimize grid during the cache saving produces smaller files that save faster and render faster.
• The ability to write OpenVDB caches in a form that makes them easily readable inside the Arnold Volume Grid, Redshift grid and Houdini. The FumeFX vdb cache will be correctly positioned.
• Various OpenVDB caches optimizations and fixes.

Rendering

• Gridless Advection allows usage of exported velocities or 3D texture to create additional detail.
• Direct rendering support with Corona renderer.

A new perpetual workstation license now costs $695 and new rental options have been introduced starting at $195 for 90 days. Find out more on the Sitni Sati  blog and see a demo on YouTube.