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	Realflow 2014 running on Windows 7
Developer(s)	Next Limit Technologies
Initial release	1998
Stable release	10.1.2.0162
Operating system	Windows, macOS, Linux
Type	Fluid simulation, 3D computer graphics, computer physics engine
Website	realflow.com

RealFlow is a fluid and dynamics simulation tool for the 3D and visual effects industry, developed by Next Limit Technologies in Madrid, Spain. This stand-alone application can be used in conjunction with other 3D programs to simulate fluids, water surfaces, fluid-solid interactions, rigid bodies, soft bodies and meshes. In 2008, Next Limit Technologies was awarded a Technical Achievement Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their development of the RealFlow software and its contribution to the production of motion pictures.^[1] In 2015, Next Limit Technologies announced the release of RealFlow Core for Cinema 4D.^[2]

Overview

RealFlow technology uses particle based simulations.^[3] These particles can be influenced in various ways by point-based nodes (daemons) which can do various tasks such as simulate gravity or recreate the vortex-like motion of a tornado. RealFlow can also simulate soft and rigid body collisions and interactions. The inclusion of Python scripting and C++ plug-ins allows users to program their own tools to improve RealFlow capabilities, adding control to most aspects of the RealFlow workflow including batch runs, events, daemons, waves, and fluids.

The RealFlow Renderkit (RFRK)^[4] is a set of tools designed to facilitate the rendering of fluids. The RFRK enables the generation of procedural geometry at render time and the rendering of individual fluid particles. With this interface, fluids can also be rendered as foam and spray.^[5]

On July 30, 2015, RealFlow 2015 was released to the public. The main features in this major release include:

An increase in the quality of simulations.
New DYVERSO solvers and GPU acceleration.
Direct-to-render feature using Maxwell Render.
Enhanced User Interface
More controllabitlity: new splines nodes, text tools, daemons falloff, crown daemon, and spreadsheets
DYVERSO solvers and rapid OpenVDB meshing speed up simulation times by 10x.

Plug-ins

RFConnect

RFConnect is a connectivity plugin between standalone RealFlow and DCC applications. The plugin is a successor of RF Connectivity and RF RenderKit (RFRK). The plugin supports following DCC applications: 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, and Houdini. The plugin is also available for Lightwave and Softimage but the development is currently not active.

RFCore

RFCore is a plugin for bringing RealFlow functionality to the DCC applications. The plugin supports following DCC applications: 3ds Max, Maya, and Cinema 4D.

Third-party plug-in developers

Next Limit lists three 3rd party plugins for Wetwork, IoSim, and V-Motion.^[6]

Version history

1998	RealFlow 1.0 RealWave 1.0 RealFlow 1.2
1999	RealFlow 1.3
2000	RealWave 2.0
2001	RealFlow 2.0
2002	RealFlow 2.5
2004	RealFlow 3.0
2006	RealFlow 4.0
2010	RealFlow 5.0
2012	RealFlow 2012
2013	RealFlow 2013
2014	RealFlow 2014
2015	RealFlow 2015
2016	Cinema4D
2017	Cinema4D 2.0
2018	Cinema4D 2.5 RealFlow \| Maya RealFlow \| 3ds Max
2019	Cinema 4D 3.0 RealFlow 10.5