SnowFlow - make snow with the click of a button

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)

examples:

settings

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.