Blender Physics Test from Brandon Ballschmidt on Vimeo.
A test of having multiple physics systems interact. This simulation shows a rigid body simulation interacting with both a particle and a smoke simulation.

3D Gunshot

   
  So I've been working around with smoke simulations more and in preparation for a project I'm working which will need a slow motion muzzle flash composited onto a moving live action shot.

   Whats nice about using the smoke engine in blender is that it allows me to be able sculpt the flames through invisible meshes interacting with the fire. In this particular example there is actually an "bullet" mesh that is shot out from the barrel. While this bullet interacts with smoke it remains unrendered in the final scene.

     The other benefit of using a full simulation is that this muzzle flash is in full 3D allowing me to move around it at any angle and even inside it if desired.

Independent Study for College

     So this semester I will be doing an independent study for college credit in simulation based visual effects. The main goal and emphasis of this will be on creating near photo realistic fluid simulation that are composited on live action footage. Most of this will be done using the open source tool Blender. 

These are the tentative goals for the course this semester:

     FLUID SIMULATIONS

• Research  the mesh based Lattice Boltzmann Method used in the Blender fluid tools.
• Research the use of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics. 
• Find any other potential methods to be used (Rigid Body surfaces/Smoke Simulation)
• Research/develop techniques for combining multiple simulation methods for better results.
• Composite a large scale flood scene into an interior of a building.

    OTHER SIMULATION GOALS

• Study rigid body setups and how to create convincing destruction using voronoi fracture tools.
• Smoke/Fire simulations interacting with lighting in live action shots.
• A full integrated visual effects sequence using a number of various simulation effects.

     While it's unlikely I will get through all of these the goal is to get through as much as I can but the main focus of this study will be on fluid sims. I'll have at least weekly updates this semester on my progress.