Updated MagicPictures Software has now released its two new plugins for 3DS Max: AqBullet, which is a bullet physics-based dynamics plugin; and AqMesher, an openVDB-based meshing/levelset plugin.
AqMesher is an OpenVDB based meshing plugin that’s compatible with particles, objects, and of course VDB objects. According to the developers it provides optimised access to many OpenVDB functions such as Meshing, levelset filter, fracture and levelset sphere functions for rigid body simulation. Features include:
- Objects / particles / PRT files / VDB files to LevelSet
- Adaptive Meshing to create tri or quad meshes
- Velocity / Vertex Color channel creation
- LevelSet Filter
- Meshing area clipping
- Levelset Fracture
- Levelset to Sphere/Bullet Sphere(need Aq Bullet Plugin)
- VDB export
The second plugin, AqBullet, is a multi-body physics simulator that can simulate rigid bodies, soft bodies, rope and constraints. Features include:
- Rigid Body simulation (Dynamic / Static / Kinetic)
- Soft Body / Cloth simulation
- Rope Simulation
- Constraint functions (P2P, Hinge, Slider, ConeTwist, 6DOF, Softbody Anchor, Rope Anchor)
- Bullet Primitives Object(Box, Cone, Sphere, Capsule, Cylinder)
- Bullet Compound Object for Concave / Complex object
- Easy to Use / Easy to Control
Both plugin are supporting 3dsmax 2015-2020 and cost $275 each. A bundle of the two plugins is also available for $450. Find out more, including video demos, on MagicPictures Software’s website (also already available is a free OpenSubdiv’s modifier that promises to be more responsive than the standard Max modifier.
This ropes simulations looks good! On the list.
Thank you!
The ropes which collide with the other objects is “fake rope”, actually.
Bullet proper rope sim is vertex based. It looks very good. However we have to have a lot of vertex for good collision and it makes unstable result sometime.
On the other hand, Fake rope is made by bullet primitive with constraint. This is very useful, stable and good speed. But need some setup(with script for convenient).
We can select by situation.
Since the removal of Reactor from Max, making ropes has been time consuming and not an enjoyable experience. A good rope/string plugin is needed that doesn’t require bones or a script to setup a bunch of connected capsules or spheres (like MassFX).
looks rubbish, support tyflow and stop developing this IMO
With that mindset TyFlow would have never existed, why develop TyFlow? Support thinking particles!
TyFlow’s a great particle system, but it doesn’t have proper physics yet – just a sorta works & looks cool approximation – and better physics doesn’t seem to be on its development roadmap.
Bullet’s physics aren’t perfect either, but it has a proven track record across multiple industries for reliability & scalability, so I’d much rather have AqBullet for simulation and just use TyFlow for decorative dust & sparkly stuff.
Besides which, the OpenVDB tools in AqMesher will be amazingly handy. The closest thing we have to that right now is Frost, which hasn’t been updated in years.
And let’s face it: any Max user who’s looking at Houdini is mainly interested in its dynamics, its fluids and its OpenVDB toolset, because those are the areas where Max has basically nothing to offer. So those MagicPictures guys could save thousands of Max studios the cost of a Houdini license, and that’s a good thing.
Yes, our VFX studio is using our own dynamics pipeline named Aquarius Tools on the 3dsmax. AqMesher and AqBullet is part of these toolset.
Actually, Rigid/Soft dynamics on particle system such as TP and TyFlow is very useful, of course. I’m using it often and love it very much too. But in some case, it is too much and difficult to frequent control. Then, control of an object base makes up for it.
And above all, I don’t like rental only price model and expensive cost for more platform.
I’m planning to have reasonable price of Aq Plugins. I will show the information soon. And plugins should release before Siggraph.
Can you please explain to some people what could be the benefits of having your own tool or access to the source code?
Because there are persons who don’t understand why that is a huge benefit 🙂
They don’t have to pay subscriptions to themselves I guess 😀
Hahaha that’s a good one LOL
Well, they look like really good plugins. When you say “before Siggraph” do you mean Siggraph in Los Angeles, or Siggraph Asia?
For those that don’t know Alex McLeod, he’s incredibly knowledgeable and smart when it comes to anything related to CG. If he writes a comment, I tend to give his posts more credibility (not saying there aren’t other people on his live around but I’ve only personally met a handful). That’s all, just wanted to vouch for his credibility if it matters to anyone.
ironic comment considering the post he made which you’re responding to is factually incorrect lol…tyflow has physx for physics, and an openvdb mesher as well
Seriously Darren… I dont know even how to reply. There is so cool stuff on this videos, you are comparing two totally different plugins. The combo of VDB fracture, VDB spherification, Bullet physics is really good too!
I really like the mesher, will instantly buy if its price is reasonable.
Great work!
Actually, thinking about it I’m definitely going to buy the mesher. VDB filters and export sound awesome…
@ Makoto, will there be any way to modulate the VDBs density channels, let’s say with procedural maps? I’m thinking about (ab)using this for clouds and volumetrics as well.
I like it. Well done. I want to try Aquarius Fluid.
Looks good. And if I’m not mistaken is Aquarius Node Base work flow.
Regards,
Just out of curiosity, is Aquarius FLIP or SPH based?
Aquarius Fluid Simulator has 2 solvers now. Water solver is FLIP based. And Smoke/Fire solver is Grid based and also FLIP based.
I intend to release this tool. But it will be coming after AqMesher and AqBullet.
Nice stuff!
hory shiet this is amazing! am i crazy for thinking of using this for modelling?
To bad, doesn’t have a demo version to test the plugin.