CGCircuit – Building Fluid Solvers for VFX and Houdini – Part 1&2

Chapter 1: Differential Calculus
We’ll begin with Calculus 1 basics. What is a function? What’s a derivative? How do we compute them? We’ll go through common differentiation techniques with plenty of examples.

Chapter 2: Integral Calculus
We’ll cover integration as the reverse process of differentiation, and practice multiple integration techniques needed in simulation physics.

Chapter 3: Multivariable Calculus & Core Math for Simulations
This is where things get real. You’ll learn how to differentiate and integrate multivariable functions, and we’ll explore the most essential derivative operators in fluid simulation:

Gradient

Divergence

Curl

مسودة تلقائية — CGCircuit - Building Fluid Solvers for VFX and Houdini - Part 1&2 4

Laplacian
…and more.

We’ll also introduce the linear algebra concepts you’ll need—nothing too advanced, just what matters for your solver.
Important Note:

Building a full-featured solver like Houdini or RealFlow takes years of R&D and a large development team. This course doesn’t aim to replicate that—but it gives you the keys to enter the field. Whether you want to write your own simulation tools, better understand how solvers work, or grow as an FX TD, this course is your first step.

Part 2 :https://www.cgcircuit.com/course/building-fluid-solvers-for-visual-effects-and-houdini-part2

Chapter 1: ODEs, PDEs, and MatricesUnderstand the types of equations used in simulations—ordinary and partial differential equations—and how linear algebra and matrices support them.

Chapter 2: Fluid EquationsExplore the famous Navier-Stokes equations in a simplified, approachable way. Understand how they are derived and how they relate to real-world fluid behavior. We also introduce boundary conditions.

Chapter 3: MAC Grids & DiscretizationLearn how to discretize space and time for simulation. We’ll focus on the Marker-And-Cell (MAC) grid technique, widely used in fluid solvers.

Chapter 4: Advection TechniquesDive into the advection step of fluid simulations. You’ll understand the Semi-Lagrangian method, its simplicity, and its drawbacks (like artificial diffusion).

Chapter 5: Enforcing IncompressibilityThis is the heart of realistic fluids! Learn how to apply the incompressibility condition, solve the resulting linear system, and handle boundary conditions effectively.

Chapter 6: Simple Smoke Solver in HoudiniSee everything in action. You’ll build a simple smoke solver using Houdini’s DOP microsolvers, translating the theory into practical workflows—an essential step before writing your own solver code.

https://www.cgcircuit.com/bundle-details.php?val=142