© 2011 Autodesk

DG6940 – Blowing Up StuffVisual Effects for DestructionLouis MarcouxTechnical Specialist – Autodesk Canada

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Objectives

Create believable destruction sequences Understand how objects break and react to destruction Break objects into fragments Use simulation tools to create destruction animations Add particles

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Agenda

The 3 steps of destruction1. Break2. Simulate3. Add Details

Teaching Method Theory Practical Examples in 3ds Max 15 techniques

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Part 1: Fracturing and Breaking Objects

Think debris and fragments Study breaking patterns Non breakable objects Success is in details and chaos 5 techniques

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Part 1: Fracturing and Breaking Objects

Technique 1: Face Explosion Tools Edit Mesh : Explode by Angle Tool

Tolerance 0.0 : all faces are separated Tolerance 180: all elements are separated In between values : fragments

Edit Poly : no explosion tool Face constraints and Cut tools to modify topology

Manual detach Bonus Script : Explode Edit Polys (LM Tools)

Prepare for simulation Thickness : Shell modifier Pivot point at center

© 2011 Autodesk

Part 1: Fracturing and Breaking Objects

Technique 2: Breaking Volume ProCutter

UVW unwrapping & cut material 2D Cutters

Cut through whole volume

Plane with noise Extruded 2D Splines Autogrid Bitmap guide

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Part 1: Fracturing and Breaking Objects

Technique 2: Breaking Volume Using ProCutter

Water tight closed volume STL Check modifier Cap Holes modifier Work in steps

Cutters and Stock Objects

Case of 3ds Max 2012

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Part 1: Fracturing and Breaking Objects

Technique 3: Breaking Hollow1. Subtract interior

1. Reference & Push modifier

2. Open thickness & connect3. Use Technique 2

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Part 1: Fracturing and Breaking Objects

Technique 4: Filling Volume with Pflow Particles

Particle Flow setup Operators

Position Object (Volume) Mapping Object Material Static Shape Instance

Plausible debris

Mix with other techniques

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Part 1: Fracturing and Breaking Objects

Technique 5: Professional Plugins and Free Scripts Volume Breaker | www.cebas.com (395$)

“volumeBreaker is a volumetric geometry fracturing tool that will instantly create sub-geometry within any mesh - geometry that perfectly fits together and fills any given volume. With volumeBreaker, Cebas brings a Hollywood quality destruction tool to 3ds Max.”

Rayfire | www.rayfirestudios.com (325$) “RayFire Tool gives you the ability to fragment, destroy, demolish, wreck, break down, wreak havoc, blow up, burst,

detonate, explode and do other similar things you have always dreamed of to do in Max...It offers interactive destruction and various fragmentation types.”

scripts.breidt.net Scriptspot.com | Fracture Voronoi

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Part 2: Simulation

3 Simulation Tools Rigid Bodies with MassFX Soft Bodies with Cloth modifier Particles

Steps of a choreography Sense of timing Finessing animations 5 techniques

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 1: Rigid Bodies Simulations Rigid = do not change shape MassFX Workflow

Objects Behaviors Dynamic Kinematic Static

Simulation Mesh (physical Mesh) Collision Tolerance

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 2: Soft Bodies Simulations Soft = change shape Vertex animations vs Object transformations Cloth modifier setup

Objects Behaviors Cloth Collision Inactive

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 2: Soft Bodies Simulations Cloth Properties

Bend Curve Stretch Compress Shear Plasticity

0 – 300 0 – 1.0 0 – 300 0 – 300 0 – 300 0 - 100

2000 1.0 2000 2000 2000 100

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 2: Soft Bodies Simulations Soft Bodies in Rigid Bodies simulations

Soft Bodies turned into Rigid Bodies

Explosion Force

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 3: Constraining Fragments Simulated objects attached to each other Mass movement Rigid bodies : MassFX Constraints

Variable degrees of freedom Translation Swing Twist

Rigid bodies : parent and double simulation

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 3: Constraining Fragments Soft Bodies : Vertex Groups

Group behaviors Preserve Surface

Double simulation Surface attachment

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 4: Pflow Particles Simulations Particles movement operators

Timing the explosion : age test Position Object: lock on emitter Speed operator: controlled speed and direction Force : realistic movement

Drag, gravity, wind Deflectors : bounce Material animation

Original object vs particles

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Part 2: Simulation

Technique 5: Refining Animations Rigid bodies Transformations: Animation layers

Timing Selection range Motion Mixer

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Part 3: Adding Details

Success is in details Tie the shot together Adds chaos 5 techniques

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Part 3: Adding Details

Technique 1: Using Pflow to add small objects Construction and assemblies objects Rocks or small debris Position Icon operator

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Part 3: Adding Details

Technique 2: Break particles debris on collision Fracture effect

Collision Spawn operator Smaller debris Delete parent New event

Random 3D rotation Cascade of smaller debris

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Part 3: Adding Details

Technique 3: Adding trails to particles Dust and smoke Spawn operator

By travel distance New event

Define new look for particles Define new forces

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Part 3: Adding Details

Technique 4: Adding small debris on breaking faces of objects Concrete structure breaking

Dust and small rocks at joints Select faces on objects Position Object operator

On selected faces

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Part 3: Adding Details

Technique 5: Using FumeFX for fire, smoke and dust Plugin to 3ds Max

Industry standard for FX Very realistic fire, smoke & explosions Not included with 3ds Max Made by Sitni Sati (www.afterworks.com)

Emitters Objects Particles Helpers

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Conclusion

Steps of a choreography Combination of techniques Timing and staging Material from the class available for download

http://www.louismarcoux.com/AU2011_DG6940 user name:: AU2011_Attendees password: WeWereThere (all in the handout)

Visit my blog! area.autodesk.com/louis

Thank you!

© 2011 Autodesk

Autodesk, AutoCAD* [*if/when mentioned in the pertinent material, followed by an alphabetical list of all other trademarks mentioned in the material] are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2011 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.