How to create realistic water in 3ds max

In this article we will be looking in depth how to stimulate realistic water flow in 3ds Max. A very simple steps to create 3ds.

How to create realistic water in 3ds maxStep 1

In this step we have to drag out high segment plane. You can also set it after you drag it out it doesn’t matter anything around 300 should be fine but it really depends on the size of your scene just make it as dense as possible for 2 apply.

A noise modifier check the fractal checkbox adjust the ”Z” strength to see the waves adjust the scale so that you’re generally getting big waves not the small one we will handle that later don’t worry about matching the numbers here it all depends on the scale. 

Step 2

If you have seen the only thing you have to focus on is to make sure you are getting the big waves adjust and set animation key-frames for the face and refine it further with the frequency.

Step 3

 You do not need to key-frame the frequency. You can also animate a gizmo to keep the waves a sense of direction but that is not exactly required step 3 by apply a push modifier and assign a negative value to it the value for the  push modifier is up to you. Make sure you are getting those sharp bridges. 

Step 4

You are seeing here you will see some polygon penetration along the sharp ridges that’s fine apply a relaxed modifier and set the relax value to 1. If the polygon penetration are still too visible go back to the push modifier and make the value or less extreme this is what you are supposed to the getting by now step 4.

At one last noise modifier this is where we concentrate on the smaller waves within the big waves we have already created adjust the scale and “Z” strength accordingly remember small waves now adjust and set animation key-frames for the face and refine it further with the frequency. You do not need to key-frame the frequency. 

Step 5

Apply a normal material it doesn’t matter what render you use because the geometry is already convincing. Make that material really shiny and apply to the plane. Place a directional light such that is shining from behind. Click render and enjoy your cg water. Hope you find this useful.

For more info visit: 3ds max course contents