save particle cache

 

 

This node will save simulation to the cache file. It will save all particle groups that have exporting option enabled (Workspace->Groups).

In addition to NodeWorks` native .nxd cache format, disk export also supports .prt and Alembic (.abc) file formats.

When exporting to Alembic, NodeWorks includes both particle attributes and particle shape data. The particle shape export is highly optimized, ensuring that Alembic cache files remain compact on disk - significantly smaller than equivalent exports from 3ds Max`s native Alembic tools.

This optimized approach makes Alembic an excellent choice for particle simulations export across various DCC application. However, not all applications fully support capabilities of Alembic file format. As of this writing, Houdini is the only application confirmed to import these caches correctly. For a step-by-step guide to export from NodeWorks to Houdini, please refer to the tutorial available on our YouTube channel.

Alembic caches will not be saved when caching mode is set to During FumeFX Sim.

 

[Inputs]

 

Enabled - Enable or disable node evaluation.

 

Path - Select the path where caches will be saved.

 

The following variables can be used to define cache paths:

  • 3ds Max root folder path: $maxroot
  • Path to the scene file: $maxscene
  • Environment path variable (retrieved from Windows Environment Variables): $env(string environment_variable_name)

 

Y-Up ??? Exports Alembic caches for applications like Maya or Houdini that have coordinate system with Y as the ???up??? axis.

 

Alembic Format ??? Choose the .abc file format:

  • Ogawa ??? This format became available since the Alembic version 1.5, so applications there were built with older versions might not support it. It is faster and generates smaller files when compared to HDF5.
  • HDF5 ??? That is a very common format used for various applications although Ogawa is a better choice when it comes to Alembic caches export.

 

Mode - There are several modes for caches export.

  • Simulation Range - Click on the Export button will export all caches within the simulation range - as set through the Simulation menu option.
  • User Range - Click on the Export button will export all caches within the user defined range.
  • Snapshot - Click on the Export button will create just one snapshot for the current frame.
  • During FumeFX Sim ??? Caches will be saved automatically when FumeFX simulation is running. However, in this mode there is no support for Alembic output.

 

Start Frame - Caches export range start.

 

End Frame - Caches export range end.

 

Export - Press this button the run the simulation and to export the caches.

 

 

Cached Attributes

Host App ??? Select the application for which you will be exporting particles to Alembic cache.

 

PRT Cache Mode - This option applies only to disk caching when the export format is set to `.prt`. It lets you choose which particle type to export: standard particles, PBD liquid particles, or PBD liquid foam.

 

Select which particle attributes you want to save to caches. It is also possible to save particle shapes, splines and custom channels

 

A grayed-out attribute checkbox indicates that the attribute is not supported for export.