RealFlow

RealFlow is a simulation software developed by Next Limit for creating dynamic fluid and physics-based effects. It specializes in realistic liquid behavior, including water, splashes, viscous materials, and surface tension interactions. RealFlow integrates with major 3D platforms like Maya, Cinema 4D, 3ds Max, and Houdini, and supports both particle-based and hybrid solvers.

What It Does Best

• Fluid & Liquid Simulation: Simulate realistic water, milk, oil, and other materials with fine control over dynamics.

• Multiphysics: Combine fluids with soft bodies, rigid bodies, and interaction-based collision systems.

• Integration & Export: Works with external 3D software and supports Alembic, OpenVDB, and mesh exports.

Who It’s For

• VFX Artists: Creating high-end liquid shots for commercials, movies, or cinematic sequences.

• 3D Generalists & Sim Artists: Adding realism and physics-based movement to digital environments.

• Studios & Freelancers: Needing dependable fluid solvers integrated into their 3D pipeline.

What Makes It Unique

RealFlow is known for its stability, accuracy, and natural motion in fluid simulations. It offers both standalone and plugin-based workflows, giving users the choice to simulate inside or outside their main 3D application.

Before You Start

• Available as a standalone app and as plugins for Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, and more.

• Licenses sold via perpetual or subscription plans, with educational versions available.

• Best used on systems with strong CPU/GPU specs for faster caching and meshing.

Final Thoughts

RealFlow is a specialized tool for artists looking to simulate complex, believable fluid dynamics—ideal for VFX-heavy scenes where water, splashes, or fluid interactions play a key visual role.