Choosing right plugin for animated smoke

#1

The next project I will be working on will have 3D modeled inhalers and i will need to show animated smoke going from one particular place to another.

I did my research for CG smoke plugins for 3DS Max and the best ones i came up with were-

  1. Real Flow (maybe bit too expensive and not a plugin I know)
  2. FUMEFX or AFTERBURN
  3. Phoenix FD (Chaosgroup)

For the job im doing, which of these would probably be best suited? If there are any other good options, I would very much appropriate anyone’s input.

I can only afford one so have it get it right.

#2

For best results you’ll want to simulate this as a gaseous Fluid sim. Just particles isn’t good enough for me anymore. So for plug-and play and price #2 (BTW AfterBurn is just a particle volume shader) or #3 are your best choice. #1 Realflow is more about liquid dynamics is more expensive for a less plug-and-play solution for smoke (has some features-but is really about liquids).

I use FumeFX for this and am really happy with the speed and amount it has and keeps evolving feature wise. So of the 3 -for me its the best choice now and for the future.
Phoenix HD seems very capable however so if you prefer it I am sure it will do the job fine too.

#3

Thanks for the feedback circusboy.

Originally I was leaning towards Phoenix FD because its made by Chaosgroup, but now i’m thinking it will be easier to get tutorials for FUME FX. If I could just find a tutorial of either plugin on how to create gas or smoke going through a semi complicated pipe system then id be sold.

#4

I use PhoenixFD and it’s a really great plugin for fire, smoke, explosions AND liquid, fast and stable, you get nightly builds, great support and a good forum + a lot of tutorials on youtube etc.
FumeFX is also a good plugin, I guess they are very equal when it comes to fire and smoke, but Fume missing liquids, but maybe it will be added into FumeFX v4.0.