Physically-based Droplet Interaction

Abstract

In this paper we present a physically-based model for simulating realistic interactions between liquid droplets in an efficient manner. Our particle-based system recreates the coalescence, separation and fragmentation interactions that occur between colliding liquid droplets and allows systems of droplets to be meaningfully represented by an equivalent number of simulated particles. By considering the interactions specific to liquid droplet phenomena directly, we display novel levels of detail that cannot be captured using other interaction models at a similar scale. Our work combines experimentally validated components, originating in engineering, with a collection of novel modifications to create a particle-based interaction model for use in the development of mid-to-large scale droplet-based liquid spray effects. We demonstrate this model, alongside a size-dependent drag force, as an extension to a commonly-used ballistic particle system and show how the introduction of these interactions improves the quality and variety of results possible in recreating liquid droplets and sprays, even using these otherwise simple systems.

Richard Southern

Head of Department
National Centre for Computer Animation

Researcher and Lecturer in Computer Graphics