Visualize simulation data

The dynamics engine uses a simplified version of an object’s geometry to calculate collisions.

To show this geometry in the viewer, show the object’s parameters and click the Collisions tab, then the Volume sub-tab, then turn on Show collision guide geometry.

The Cloth Object and Wire Object have Visualization tabs that let you show the effects of forces on the object as colored lines.

The most important forces for cloth are external forces, collision forces, impacts, stretch energy, and sometimes stretch force and biphasic force.

1. Select the Smoke (density) or Fluid (sign distance) box you want to visualize. If you're not already in the dynamics network, choose the Select tool and Dynamics selection mode, then click the box in the viewer.

2. In the parameter editor, click the Guides tab at the bottom.

The Guides tab contains many sub-tabs with controls for visualizing different aspects of the field. For example, you can use the controls on the Velocity sub-tab to view the velocity of the contained gas/fluid at each point using lines, or through a plane using streamers.

You can import visualization geometry into a geometry network just as you can import the actual surface or volume of an object. See the section on importing and exporting simulation data.