Phoenix follow_path.max example scene error

[CrimsonKing]

Hello
I've just downloaded the phoenix trial version, to see if I can create an effect that I need
I have to create a scene with the smoke, which is following a path exactly
The effect i want to achieve, should look like the smoke is moving through a pipe, 5 cm in radius. Smoke have to be in the radius of 5cm all the time

I've also downloaded the example scene from Chaosgroup website (follow_path.max) but unfortunately the scene is crashing every time i select PHXsource object.
I have 3ds max 2018 on win 10 with Vray 3.6
I will appreciate any help

Best
Greg

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

Hey,

Which Phoenix version do you have installed?

Cheers!

[CrimsonKing]

Hey,
I've installed phoenixFD_trial_31000_max2018_vray_30_x64, downloaded from your website
Best
G.

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

Would it be possible to send over the crash dump? Also, are you using max 2018.4?

[CrimsonKing]

Sure, but i cannot send you private message ...
How to send you these files ?

[CrimsonKing]

I'm using 3dsmax 2018.4 btw.

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

Hmm, just a few more questions - does it matter which source do you select and does it crash every time when you select it on a fresh opened scene?

Would it be possible to try a latest nightly as well?

You can ping me on my nickname @chaosgroup.com. if the dump files are too large to send over mail, I'll send you over the credentials for upload to an internal FTP.

Thanks!

[CrimsonKing]

I've just sent you the dump files.
3dmsax crashes No matter what source i select. I can select grid but when i press simulate nothing happens
Thanks
G.

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

Hey, thanks very much!

Seems like Max breaks the list with the emitters when converting from the old 2013 format to 2018.

Can you both of the attached scenes? One is just resaved with Max 2018, while the other one has the sources created from scratch too. It will be very useful to know if either one or both work.

follow_path.zip

Cheers!

[CrimsonKing]

Thank you very much!
Now the scene "follow_path_2018_resaved.max" works ok
The scene "follow_path_2018_recreated_sources.max" is not working, unfortunately (3dmax don't crash but when i press the sim. button, nothing happens)

Could you please tell me what parameters i have to adjust so the particles will follow a path exactly?

Thanks!
G.

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

Ah, yes! In the recreated_sources you need to add the fire source to the fire sim's include list, and the smoke source to the smoke sim's include list and it should work. Thanks very much for confirming that!

So if you want the smoke to follow closely the spline, the parameters you need to tweak are the Follow Speed and Pull Speed. You can set Rotation Speed to 0 as you don't seem to need that. You can use the Force preview under the Preview rollout to visualize the force field which can help you while tweaking the parameters: http://phoenixfd.cgrecord.net/2017/1...e-preview.html

[CrimsonKing]

Thank You again!
I confirm that both of the scenes are working now (max 2018.4 & vray 3.60.04)
Many thanks for your guidance and support. You helped me a lot!
Best
G.

[Svetlin.Nikolov]

Hey, glad this worked. We gotta figure out what do to with such conversion issues, especially since it doesn't affect all computers and that makes it nastier...

Cheers