3D Studio MAX: Makes 3D effects magic with volumetric particles

The image shown here was created with a Max R2 plugin called Afterburn. This plugin, from ID8 Media, can be used to create explosions, wispy clouds, smoke and a variety of other effects. Because the effect is volumetric, you can actually fly right through the clouds and see them move around you. Indeed, does it not kick ass?

The Afterburn plugin delivers true 3D photorealistic volumetric effects,  turning any MAX 2 particle system to incredibly realistic clouds, fire, smoke, explosions, and nebula. The film-quality results are fully 3D and Volumetric, so there is no problem flying the camera through effects.

Afterburn's volumetrics are self-shadowing and can interact with volumetric lights. With five different types of noise, and nearly every parameter animatable over particle age, you gain extensive control over the effects.

Here is how we used Afterburn to create the effect of a cloud billowing and finally evaporating over time. (For this example, you must have the US$345 Afterburn plugin)

Advanced Features Include:

• Unique to Afterburn are AFC's (Animation Flow Controllers), which provide a track-view type window to let you animate between high and low values of every parameter based on particle age.
• Choose between Sphere, Hemisphere, Box and Cylinder as the envelopes for your volumetric effects. Control the dimensions of all shapes, and animate them over particle age with Afterburn's AFC's. You can quickly preview envelope shape in viewports.
• Use one, two or three different color gradients for your volumetric effects. By using Afterburn's AFC's, colors can be animated over particle age to any range, based on distance or density.
• Use any MAX 2 particle system to control the motion of the effect.
• Save and re-use or modify Afterburn settings.
• Afterburn effects receive and cast shadows onto other objects, interact with volume lights and receive projection maps.
• Control light scattering through the effects with three different algorithms. This adds much more realism to smoke, fire, clouds and explosion effects.
• Add variation to each color, so each volumetric shape has subtle or extreme shifts.
• Use ANY Video Post filters with Afterburn effects, based on either Object ID or Material ID. Afterburn allows extensive control over which part of the effect gets glowed!
• Afterburn can also be z-buffered, making it possible to use depth of field and any of the Video Post effects with the volumetric effects.
• Afterburn provides three different windows for previewing the look, shape, noise and final Afterburn effect.