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RBD Simulation
SOFTWARE
Houdini
DESCRIPTION
This project demonstrates a dynamic RBD simulation focused on realistic crack formation and destruction. It served as the backbone for a month-long research project where I prepared a 2-hour lecture on RBD simulations. Throughout the process, I studied Newtonian physics, key forces like gravity and drag, and the physics engine loop. I explored simulations across multiple platforms, including Houdini, C4D, Blender, UE5, and Maya, to prove that understanding the core principles allows you to work effectively in any tool. This Houdini setup highlights those principles in action.
PROJECT BREAKDOWN
ENTIRE NETWORK:
This is the RBD simulation network that creates and animates realistic crack patterns for this ground destruction effect. Designed to simulate detailed, procedural crack behavior, it can be applied in various visual effects involving destruction.
CRACK CREATION:
This section prepares crack geometry by drawing curves, resampling, adding noise, assigning crack IDs, and splitting and animating cracks. The crack_solver then animates them over time, with the final geometry merged for simulation.
GEOMETRY PREPARATION:
This section prepares the road geometry for fracturing. It is fused, extruded, transformed, and remeshed, then fractured using a boolean fracture. The geometry is unpacked, converted, and displayed with an exploded view, followed by a UV quickshade for texture preview.
FRACTURE SETUP:
This section sets up the geometry for breaking in the simulation. It uses volumevop1 to control where points are scattered for the fractures, then the voronoifracture1 node breaks the object into pieces. The broken pieces are packed and grouped for easier simulation in the destruction process.
RBD INITIALIZATION AND COLLISIONS:
This section prepares the geometry for the RBD simulation by packing it, setting up collision attributes, and modifying attributes with a wrangle. It then runs the simulation, applying collisions and physical forces to the geometry.
ROAD ACTIVATION AND TIMING:
This section defines and processes crack constraints. It removes constraint clusters, creates and refines crack areas, and adjusts the constraints using wrangles and blasts. The final constraints are merged and prepared for the simulation.
CRACK CONSTRAINTS:
This section defines and processes crack constraints. It removes constraint clusters, creates and refines crack areas, and adjusts the constraints using wrangles and blasts. The final constraints are merged and prepared for the simulation.
CRACK REFINEMENT AND VELOCITY:
This section prepares the crack geometry by going through each piece, sorting, and resampling them. It calculates velocity, checks for intersections, and adjusts colors to fine-tune the appearance. Finally, it adds velocity, so the cracks move realistically during the simulation.
OUTPUT:
This section is responsible for importing and caching the RBD simulation points, adjusting the timing, and applying the correct transformations to the fractured pieces, preparing them for the final output in the simulation.
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