How can i convert the Particles or Volumes to a mesh using the new Bifrost graph

[Anonymous]

Hi 

First off the new Bifrost graph is really amazing. But im having trouble figure out how or if there is a way to convert the particles/ Volumes to a mesh, is it possible ?

[marcus.nordenstam]

Use the volume_to_mesh compound.

[Anonymous]

Could you show me a example graph of this in action. im getting a error cannot draw an object with no points. sorry im a bit new at this. 

[syracoj · Accepted solution]

here is a simple example.

[syracoj · Accepted solution]

In addition to my last post with the example graph, one can also send Bifrost Object data out of the board and connect it to a Maya mesh in the DG world.

To do this one needs to create a bifrostGeoToMaya node as well as a Maya mesh (shape) node in the node editor.

From there we can connect the bifrostGraph1.output -> bifrostGeoToMaya.BifrostGeo -> polySurfaceShape.inMesh

we can see in the image above the mesh is green. This is because we would still need to apply a shader (aiStandardSurface for example) to the mesh (using your favourite method to do this).

[Anonymous]

This is great! Can you give an example of how to do it with a volume. like an aero simulation to mesh? There is a nice example in the promotional materials showing a flame and pink/purple mesh following the flame. Would love to know how to do that?

[Aslan.Jafari · Accepted solution]

Option 1)

A) If you install the RPOA compounds package, there should be a node called "voxel_grid_to_points" that allows you to convert volumes to points and follow the points_to_levelset that @syracoj method to get the meshes

B) If you like to build the compound from scratch, you can follow the graph in "Voxel_Grid_to_Points.PNG"

The logic is to iterate through Voxel_fog_density array and if density is above zero, get the position from the volume (you need to create "update_voxel_position" node and update the volume with point positions first). Then construct points in the newly created array. from there you can follow the points_to_levelset method again

Option 2) 

Volume_to_Mesh_Optimized.ma

you can study the attached file for converting combustion volumes to mesh that can be manipulated in DG.

Thank you

Aslan

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help 🙂

[Anonymous]

This is awesome! Thank you for your help. 

[DanielEriksson4773]

Hi,

Sorry if I missed something 😊, but where do I download the RPOA compounds package?

Thanks!

[yeungy]

Hello Daniel,

You can download the RPOA compounds here: https://area.autodesk.com/downloads/all/compounds/

Thanks!

Yvonne

[Anonymous]

I'm still having trouble replicating these graphs to create any meshes from volumes. Even if I disconnect the input graph and connected right back to where it was, it stops working. Also there is no "voxel_grid_to_points" node in the Rebel Pack. Was it renamed? What gives!?!? 

[Aslan.Jafari]

sorry about the confusion, voxel_grid_to_points is no longer part of RPOA.

you can use the images below to recreate your own graph or study the attached scene file.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate your help from this bifrost newbie. 

[thomaslisle1309]

hi I have the rebel pack  but ether no voxel_grid_to_points.    if RPOA. means rebel pack. as I can't find any ref anywhere to RPOA    any suggestions anyone 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the scene and helpful screengrabs. I was wondering how I could turn this Bifrost mesh into a Maya Mesh so I can 3D print it? I tried to use volume_to_mesh in the Bifrost Graph Editor and bifrostGeotoMaya in the Node Editor but neither surfaces created was visible. 

[thomaslisle1309]

i think just select the bif which is a mesh and export to .stl

[Anonymous]

I just tried this. It does not produce a valid OBJ file or FBX file
unfortunately.

[thomaslisle1309]

try the maya mesh clean up utility this might find any issues with the mesh , check it doesn’t overlap itself, check its normal s all point outways , maybe the mesh has been constructed in way thats it doesn’t conform to normal mesh construction. also try triangulating it. this can fix many issues to do with planarity

[mihirsbcc]

My 2 cents, some times exported STL file from Maya did not work. I imported the stl file to 3D Max and exported back again to OBJ and STL, the printer worked. Mesh clean up and triangulation tools of Maya does help.