For this project, I created a detailed hippo fluid scene using HydroFX, pushing the simulation to around 100 million particles. What makes this especially impressive is that the foam, bubbles, and spray were all simulated together within the same system, resulting in a highly cohesive and natural look. The entire process was GPU-accelerated, which made working at such a high resolution not only possible but surprisingly efficient.
A huge credit goes to Sebastian Schaefer, the developer of HydroFX, for creating such a powerful and efficient tool. The performance and flexibility it offers made a big difference throughout this project.
Once the simulation was complete, I brought the particle data into Houdini, where I handled the meshing process to generate the final fluid surface. While in Houdini, I also created a complementary sand smoke simulation to enhance the interaction between the hippo and the environment, adding another layer of realism to the scene.
Afterward, everything was exported into Blender, where I focused on environment setup, shading, and lighting. A key part of the final look came from using the newly released Real Caustics plugin. Huge credit to Sergei Zakharov for developing this plugin, as it allowed me to render the entire scene in a single pass while achieving accurate volumetric caustic rays and proper light interaction within the fluid. The result feels much more physically believable compared to traditional multi-pass workflows.
One of the standout aspects of HydroFX is its performance. Being able to simulate at such a high particle count with great speed is a huge advantage, especially for detailed shots like this. The export options are also very flexible, particularly with attributes like ID, which I used to introduce randomness into the whitewater and to create subtle floating marine snow within the water.
Overall, this project has been an absolute joy to work on. The combination of speed, control, and quality made the entire pipeline smooth and creatively rewarding. If you enjoy fluid simulation, HydroFX is definitely worth exploring.
Get HydroFX: https://storm-vfx.com/
Get Real Caustics: https://blendermarket.com/creators/caustics?ref=9330
