Smoke simulation, how would you guys approach it ?

KristianBonne

Hi Polycount,

I am currently working on a personal project which is a full CG vfx shot.
I've gotten to a point where I need to add a very dense/long smoke/dust trail and I am trying out Maya fluids which seems to be a little too heavy to run on my machine. Do you guys have any good suggestions on how to approach this issue ? Maybe by trying out some comp techniques or other kind of simulations you know of ? 
You can see the shot in its current state here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEhh5KTWDTY

If you have other suggestions or feedback it's very welcome,
Thanks in advance!

LaurentiuN

If you can get FumeFx that would do the job

Mark Dygert

I agree FumeFx is a great way forward, it has a lot of tools for creating the types of effects you're looking to do. If you run into a brick wall and need more on screen, try layering several sims together. A lot of FX shops layer their particle simulations. They bake out several simulations often to point clouds and layer them together. 

Krakatoa http://www.thinkboxsoftware.com/krakatoa/  helps with that.

musashidan

I would also recommend bolstering any smoke sim in post with layered stock smoke matte elements. Very easy/cheap to do and adds to the realism, being that it's real smoke....

Piotrherm

sory

Piotrherm

sory again, dont know how to edit

musashidan

Piotrherm said:

sory again, dont know how to edit

The little gear button dropdown, top right of your post.

KristianBonne

thanks a lot for the advice! gonna check out to see if i can get my hands on fumeFX, but else i guess i could layer maya fluids as well