Introduction

Learning Resources > Tutorials > Getting Started with Maya > nParticles > Lesson 3: Creating a liquid simulation with nParticles >

Introduction

A common use of particle systems is to simulate liquids such as flowing lava, water sprays, and mud splatters. Using nParticle Liquid Simulation attributes, you can add properties to an nParticle object so that it behaves like a liquid. For example, you can add viscosity and incompressibility properties so that the nParticles fill a volume uniformly and flow like a continuous substance.

When creating a liquid simulation, it is easiest to start with a small nParticle system (small particle count) and set the attributes that control the behavior of the particle flow. You can then increase the density of the particle system and edit the attributes that give the nParticles the appearance of a liquid.

In this lesson you create a small-scale liquid simulation that involves pouring Water type nParticles from a pitcher into a glass. You can then use the techniques described in this tutorial to create larger liquid simulations.

In this lesson you learn how to:

Use Fill Object to create a Water style nParticle system.
Adjust nParticle Liquid Simulation attributes to create particles that look and behave like water.
Cache your nParticle simulation.
Convert a liquid simulation to an nParticle output mesh.
Assign mia_material_x mental ray shaders to your nParticle output mesh.
Render a single frame of your nParticle simulation using mental ray for Maya renderer.