An initial state describes the grid property values at the starting frame of a fluid simulation. You define the grid property values you want a simulation to start with and then set the initial state of the fluid. For information on setting initial states, see Fluids initial state.

If you want to use existing grid properties as the basis for other fluid effects (for example, a company logo, a spiral of velocity, a cloud), you can save the grid property values, and later add them to existing fluid containers in a scene. Maya includes an assortment of predefined initial states that you can use as examples. For information on creating your own predefined initial states, see Save the current state of a fluid.

To add a predefined initial state to a fluid container

1. Select the fluid container.
2. Select Fluid Effects > Add/Edit Contents > Initial States. The Visor opens to the Fluid Initial States tab.
3. Click the folder containing the initial state you want to add to the container. If the fluid is a 2D fluid, select the 2D subfolder. If the fluid is a 3D fluid, select the 3D subfolder.

   You can only add initial states created in 2D containers to 2D containers. Similarly you can only add initial states created in 3D containers to 3D containers.

4. With , drag the preset icon from Visor onto the selected fluid container. Any grid values already in the container are replaced with the initial state values.

   If the resolution of your container is different from the resolution of the container used to create the initial state, the resolution of your container changes to the resolution of the initial state container, and once the values are in place, changes back to your original resolution.