1. Fluid Ninja Live 2: A Realistic Fluid Simulation Plugin for Unreal Engine [1]

Fluid Ninja Live 2 is a plugin for Unreal Engine that provides realistic, real-time fluid simulations for various environmental elements like water, fog, smoke, and snow, allowing dynamic interaction within games.

1.1. Interactive Water Simulation and Environmental Effects [1]

  1. Fluid Ninja Live 2 is a plugin for Unreal Engine that offers realistic fluid simulations, including water, fog, smoke, clouds, and other volumetric effects [2].
    1. Many modern games have used this technology, and the plugin received an update in September [4].
  2. The plugin enables realistic coastline water simulation where players can interact with waves [8].
    1. Waves dynamically part around objects like rocks, affecting the simulation with ripples and splashing effects [12].
    2. The simulation includes caustics, which are light rays visible under the water [24].
  3. Various objects can interact with the water, creating ripples and affecting the environment [18].
    1. A boat can part waves and create ripple effects behind it, which could be used for games like a pirate sailing game [19].
    2. A rover can cut through the water, generating ripples [33].
  4. The plugin also supports sand deformation, where footprints can modify the landscape rather than just applying a texture decal [30].
  5. The time of day can be changed, altering the sun's direction and showing how the ocean looks at different times, such as sunset or nighttime [37].

1.2. Diverse Fluid and Environmental Simulations [42]

  1. Fluid Ninja Live 2 extends beyond water simulation to include various other volumetric effects [42].
    1. Clouds can be simulated, with characters interacting and cutting pathways through them, and light direction changes casting different shadows [45].
    2. Destructible meshes can generate volumetric dust clouds that collide with objects [50].
    3. Fire smoke can be simulated, allowing players to jump through it and observe it trailing behind them [54].
    4. Various smoke and fire effects, such as candle smoke, can be created for realistic volumetrics [58].
    5. Fog and misty levels can be simulated, showing vehicles and players moving through them [63].
  2. The plugin also supports environmental interactions with natural elements [65].
    1. Grass can be affected by objects like spaceships blowing particles or players running through it, flattening it down [65].
    2. Sandstorms can be simulated with dust clouds [71].
    3. Snow simulations include blizzards and snow being blown from where the player steps [73].
      1. Objects like rolling cubes can create snow avalanches and volumetric dust clouds [78].
  3. Lake and river simulations are also available [86].
    1. Lake simulations are similar to coastline simulations but for a body of water like a lake [87].
    2. River simulations include waterfalls and water flowing down rivers, reacting to bends and curving around rocks [97].
    3. Objects like balls can follow the simulation and curve of the water, which could be used for effects like fish swimming [100].

1.3. Advanced Water Features and Performance [105]

  1. The Fluid Ninja Live 2 demo is available for free download [105].
    1. Minimum hardware requirements are a GTX 1070 to an RTX 3050 [106].
    2. The demo runs at a capped frame rate of 60 FPS [108].
  2. The plugin offers different water environments [113].
    1. A windy coastline simulation shows wind affecting water peaks and increasing ocean foam [115].
    2. A stormy water version includes rain, particle effects, and a more chaotic ocean with foam and mist [119].
    3. A swamp level features sludge or algae buildup in the water that reacts to player movement, allowing players to cut through it as it refills [124].
  3. The standard license for the plugin costs $150 [129].