Hey

I'm an MA student studying at Bournemouth university and I'm in my third term of the course.

We've been asked to demonstrate a digital technique using Houdini and I've chosen fluids and softbodies. The premise for the project is to create a balloon filled with paint rising to the cieling and then popping, spraying/splashing the paint every where. This will be composited onto a live action backplate.

There will be a large amount of balloons which will explode procedurally causing a colourful rainfall of the liquid. The effect I'm aiming for is to be as photoreal as possible, so real world physical dynamics and shading is a must.

The escape of the paint from the balloons I'm aiming for is a fusion of water balloons and the cloud-like spray in the Sony Bravia Advert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6U_GFa76Ys [youtube.com] - water balloon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GURvHJNmGrc [youtube.com] - sony bravia

I would love to hear any suggestions in regards to workflow, specific techniques and/or any tips and tricks that would help me out.

At the moment I'm familiarising myself with particle fluids, fluid volumes and softbody dynamics (squishy object SOP)

Cheers

Tj