SnowFlow - make snow with the click of a button

229 votes
Version: 
1.8
Date Updated: 
12/04/2014
Author Name: 
48design

snow bench test scene

This plugin is out of date. Please use the new SnowFlowPro instead!

SnowFlow is a 3D Studio Max script/plugin that creates realistic snow with ease! You just pick an object and SnowFlow does the snow for you! Let the snow fall on your 3D objects and scenes with the click of a button.

Additional Info: 

features

  • self-explaining user interface with integrated help
  • one-click-solution in most standard situations
  • multiple snow methods for different needs
  • advanced settings to get the best out of SnowFlow
  • different reality levels to control object interference
  • preset system for a faster workflow
  • full control over the calculated mesh
  • network rendering with any network rendering solution
  • system unit check and conversion to achieve full snow details
  • autoTune options for better performance
  • caching system to prevent unnecessary recalculations
  • "SnowPlug" to stick objects into snow surfaces
  • "SnowPrint" to make footprints and things like that

notes

You do NOT need VRay to use SnowFlow, but it can create a VRay snow material automatically. If you have problems installing SnowFlow, make sure you run the setup as administrator!

changelog

  • SnowFlowPro released
  • [v1.8]

    • SnowPrint feature added
    • optimized "extrusion method"
    • "shell method" added
    • UI enhancements
    • new activation system
  • [v1.7]

    • new VRay material without transparency
    • check for updates on startup (can be disabled)
  • [v1.6]

    • all parameters are now saved when closing SnowFlow
    • significant performance boost in selection phase (snowfall reality high)
    • performance boost in snowflakes method
    • optimized caching
    • fixed a small "wind / rough surface" bug
    • fixed a bug with particles, Creativity Extension not needed anymore!
      (thanks to scanline vfx!)
    • search for update ("About" rollout)
  • [v1.5]

    • added preset system
    • added standard material
  • [v1.4]

    • added material rollout
    • procedural snow material (Standard, VRay or manual)

 

SnowFlow Interface Screenshot

examples:

Locomotive

settings

Setting 'thickness'
Thickness
This parameter controls the height of fallen snow. Please note that if noise is added, the final snow height can be a bit higher than the value set here. It’s also possible to add more thickness to the final snow mesh with a push modifier.

Setting 'noise'
Noise
Noise controls the amount of turbolences of the snow surface. This makes the snow surface look more natural. You can also add a noise modifier on top of the final snow mesh to get the same effect or use bump/displacement in your material.

Setting 'selected faces only'
Selected faces only
Preselect regions where you want snow to fall on. You can also invert the selection. With this option activated, you must select faces to get a result. This option speeds up the selection process.

Setting 'wind / rough surface'
Wind / rough surface
This parameter lets more snow fall on vertical parts of an object, like it can be seen on the side of trees. You will get natural looking holes in your snow surface if thickness is small and you don’t adjust particle count.

Setting 'transparent = warm'
Transparent = warm
Transparent materials “melt” the snow. Check this option for roof windows or car windows for example where you want to mimic the effect of a warm interior. Note that this can only be used with transparent materials, not textures.

Setting 'snowfall reality'
Snowfall reality
Snowfall reality controls parts of the object to be not occluded at all (normal), be occluded by the object itself (high) or be occluded by all objects around the scene (real). Reality set to “real” pushes rendertimes up a lot!

Setting 'surface relaxing'
Surface relaxing
Surface relaxing makes a “smoother” surface and makes it look less “blobby”. It has effect on the snow surface even if noise is on. It fills holes in the snow as well. With our “extrusion” method you should keep this parameter relatively low.

Setting 'number of particles'
Number of particles
This parameter controls the density of the snow surface. You should leave this “autoTuned” most of the time. The “Status & Progress” window will show you the calculated particle count which can be used to finetune this setting.

Setting 'polycount'
Polycount

This controls the number of polygons created by SnowFlow. Possible selections are:
extremely high, very high, high, medium, low, very low, extremely low. You should start at medium or high and go up or down as you need it.

You might also want to download our SnowFlow Quick Guide PDF that includes detailed explenations as well as Tips & Tricks for workflow optimisation.

Version Requirement: 
3ds Max 2009, 2010, 2011
Video URL: 
AttachmentSize
SnowFlow_teapots_testscene_3DSMax2010_VRay.max544 KB
SnowPrint_explanation.png41.06 KB

Comments

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48design's picture

I attached a testscene...

I attached a testscene... it's the one from the settings renderings above (teapots in front of a wall). You can start with this scene to test SnowFlow.
It's also a good idea to just take an old scene from your harddrive and turn it into a winterwonderland! ;o)

48design's picture

Hi sknne77, thanks for

Hi sknne77,
thanks for purchasing a copy of SnowFlow. You buy a "per seat license" so you can only use it on one machine. We did not want an "online-activation-thing" that checks online for activation each time you start the script, so we had to do it that way...
Demo scenes is a good idea, thanks! :o)

sknne77's picture

There needs to be proper

There needs to be proper documentation on how to use this plugin correctly, could this be done? also how about some demo scenes that the people that download and buy your plugin can download also?? this would help a helluva lot! cheers.

sknne77's picture

Hey there, ive just purchased

Hey there, ive just purchased this plugin, now i havnt generated Hardware-ID for the key generator because it says it locks it to the computer. Does this mean i cannot install it to my work machine and my home machine?? because thats ideally what i need to do.

subburb's picture

no problem ! Was my try

no problem !
Was my try ;)

Next time i need snow, be sure i'll bought your product !

I wish you lot of sellings !

jerome Prévost (Subburb)

48design's picture

Hey subburb! I bought

Hey subburb! Smile

I bought solidrocks some time ago, sorry!

There is no demo at the moment, but we plan to release a demonstration video soon.

subburb's picture

Hey ! Sound really nice

Hey ! Sound really nice plug...
Is there a demo somewhere ?

Are you interested by a licence exchange with solidrocks ? ;)

jerome Prévost (Subburb)

48design's picture

Yes, of course, you can

Yes, of course, you can change the material afterwards! SnowFlow generates a poly mesh and adds a VRay material to it. This material can be changed to whatever you want. There are some converters on scriptspot that could transfer this material for you. Future builds will have more control on the snow material!

sknne77's picture

Im tempted to purchase this

Im tempted to purchase this plugin, but it says the material is Vray? Is it possible to use Mental ray or the scanline renderer also?? I dont own vRAY and have no plans in purchasing it.

48design's picture

Thank you!

Thank you!

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