Making Animated Fluids Look More Realistic

brunascle writes "Technology Review has an article about recent advances in animated fluid dynamics made by Mathieu Desbrun, a computer science professor at Caltech. 'He and his team are developing an entirely new approach to fluid motion, based on new mathematics called discrete differential geometry, that use equations designed specifically to be solved by computers rather than people.' Desbrun explains that the currently in-use equations for animating fluid dynamics were not developed with computers in mind, and were simply reworkings of older equations. He claims that his new equations use about the same amount of computer resources, but with much better results. The article includes a 5 minute (flash) video demonstrating various results using his equations, ending with 2 fascinating and vivid displays: the first of a snowglobe, and the second of a cloud of smoke filling a volume in the shape of a bunny."

Comments

Need "Before" and "After" animations

[dpbsmith]

The animations are impressive, but so was the animated water in Titanic and A Perfect Storm. I wish they had featured a comparison of the same animation, performed with the same computer resources, using the traditional and new methods.

Real-world applications?

[RobertB-DC]

While I'm sure the gee-whiz factor of more accurately simulating Lara Croft swimming is the hook for the story, shouldn't it at least pay lip service to real-world applications of this new technique? Wind-tunnel testing is one area that currently requires massive physical facilities, and would clearly benefit from this research -- air is a "fluid", too. You could even apply it to thicker fluids, perhaps devising new ways to fabricate items from glass or non-destructively test metal part designs for weaknesses that wouldn't have been otherwise revealed.

Though the importance of properly modelling Lara Croft's swimsuit can hardly be overstated.

I was hoping for a different bunny

[spun]

I was hoping for Lenna. Simulate me a steamy Swedish playmate, and then show me what happens when I take her top off.

Never mind that she's over 50 now, married with 3 kids...