uFlex - NVidia FLEX for Unity3D - Unified Visual FX [RELEASED]

Hi @korzen303 ,
I've used uFlex in a Unity project and was able to generate uFlex objects from my meshes.
But now in a new Unity project, it generates an object with only "Flex Particles" and "Flex Shape Matching" components. No Mesh Renderer and no Particles Renderer. Note that I have the "Soft Mesh" checked when I generate the mesh.

It also throws the 2 errors in the snapshots below.
(Note: For organizational purposes, I placed the uFlex package in a Custom folder inside the Assets folder. Does it have to be directly in Assets or is what I did okay?)

Any ideas what I'm missing?
Thanks.

 

using flex on same D3D11Device as Unity device, creates hopeless problems with async access to resources.
possible hangs, BSOD etc.
i could not use Unity buffer as Flex simulation target without crash. For this I use Map Unmap.
anyway, map/copy/process buffers in native, is minor, In comparison with Flex.Update.

 

Wow great work! Any way this can be released? Flex on animated skinned characters?

 

This technique and NvFlex has a number of problems:
1) difficulty modelling of flex material, I do not know how to write tool.
i im use flexibility texture for weighting surface (r-weight, g-stiffness, b-limit)
2) poor collision for flex rigid bodyes. Does not have a stable collision with fluids, cloth and between themselves.
Particles tunneling everywhere...
3)There is no way to fully simulate fluids and rigids on a common Solver due to a specific parameters

 

Oh i see! Thanks very much for providing the current problems details.
I can probably see flex animated meshes authored in Unity with some kind of a "paint weights" tool
Its good to see progress though, great work!

 

@m-obeid , i have the same problem, i found that the FlexExt.flexExtCreateTearingClothFromMesh() return 0 while i creating cloth object

 

@m-obeid @stsw I will have a look at this . Meanwhile, please try installing Visual Studio 2013 and 2015 Redistributables. Let me know if it helped

 

@korzen303 i have tried this and doesn't make any help

 

@korzen303
When clicking the error, it takes me to line 809 in the "FlexWindow" script.
I've attached a snapshot.
It would help me a lot and allow me to make use of this product if I can get this resolved.

 

How is your progress on uFlex updating to Flex 1.1? Any estimate on release date?

I've been attempting a c# wrapper using the Flex 1.1 include file 'NvFlex.h' based on your 'FlexAPI.cs' included in your uFlex implementation (which I purchased recently). I've managed to build the wrapper with no errors, but on testing it as a plugin it is bombing out with a DllNotFoundException error for 'NvFlexReleaseD3D_x64.dll' not loading. I've spent too much time searching the Net for an answer, with no success. This DllNotFoundException seems to be fairly common problem with a variety of suggested solutions, none of which have worked in my case.

Hence, I'm eagerly awaiting your latest update to uFlex

 

I am in the process of converting uFlex to Flex 1.1. Unfortunately, NVidia has completely changed the way the CPU/GPU memory transfer is handled, which pretty much requires a full rewrite of the code base. Except support for non-NVidia GPUs via DirectCompute and some bug-fixes there are no new features added in 1.1.

Regarding your errors the API has changed so it wont work

 

Hi @korzen303 ,

I was able to make use of uFlex for some primitive models. However, I have 2 questions:

1. I have a few models from Maya that have a cached Blendshape (saved morph). Typically, when exported as FBX to Unity, these models will include that morphed Blendshape as a parameter under the object's "Skinned Mesh Renderer". But when using uFlex, the mesh that uFlex generates (xxxFlexMesh) doesn't contain the Blendshape parameter under "Skinned Mesh Renderer". Is there a way to ensure that the generated mesh takes all the parameters from the used mesh?
2. Do I need to make changes to the "flex" object (that hosts Flex solver, parameters, container, etc.) if I'm using my own custom models? I'm using Flex mainly for softbodies.

Thanks.

 

Great work on this.
But before I purchase this, I need to know if it works with skinned character & cloth simulation. I guess others might have already asked this question. But my eyes get itches when I'm trying to read all the replies.
So please let me know if this works with multi-cloth on a skinned character.

 

Hi Korzen303 !
I can't buy asset of you ,because :



Please check your forms of payment.

 

@DangCGART I have nothing to do with payments, Unity handles this. Please contact them

 

@korzen303 , for the NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object problem
i would like to provide more information, hope it can help
i am creating a cloth without tearable and inflatable

1. the return of FlexExt.flexExtCreateClothFromMesh is 0, i think the problem appear while runnig int uniqueVerticesCount = FlexExt.flexExtCreateWeldedMeshIndices(vertices, vertexCount, uniqueVerticesIds, origToUniqueVertMapping, 0.0001f)
2. i try to change the weld threshold with different value , 0.0001 / 0 / -1 , most problem will solve with value -1
3. other problem will appear while using -1, spring cannot create normally , the cloth will break apart look like without seaming
4. i create the cloth and exported in marvelous designer

plz let me know if u need more information

 

Hey Korzen,

Is there a way to make a constant flowing fluid with this and then setup a drain collider at the other end of the simulation. These are common tools for a lot of fluid simulations so I was wondering if uFlex supported this. I wanted to make a constant flowing river but then drain it at the end so that there is not constantly increasing number of particles in the fluid simulation. All of the examples for generating the fluid volumes if based on a preset constant number of particles and once they are generated they are not destroyed and the fluid stops flowing from the of emission.

Cheers,
Nathaniel Nesler

 

@korzen303

I want to simulate the influx of water and food in the stomach, but it looks too scarce.
The Is there a way to improve?
I have tried interaction radius..Too much fluid will be too rough.

I sent a test project to your mail...

korzenio@gmail.com

My development environment u3d5.52f1 + uflex + ssfPro

 

Hey Korzen! That delicious non-Nvidia ability is what I eagerly await (I don't want to cut out AMD customers <3)! Any updates on the patch?

 

hi @korzen303 any update on progress of the new uflex? your implementation of nvidias flex appears to be the only one in existence for unity hope it goes well!

 

@korzen303 In the unite2016,The Uflex demo that woman has be dance with cloth,but I can not find it has been in Uflex0.55,How to it Play? The Function has been shared in github? or the theory could be share?

 

Hi @korzen303, thank you for the great asset and i'm looking forward for the new version.
BTW, Is there any way to absorb particles? I am doing a water pool simulation with a suction hole, which absorb water faster than ordinary hole does with gravity.

 

yes Like this One I want this But I can not find it in network ,The unit2016 Project like this

 

@pan-master unite2016 project like this ,It is like you project

 

Hi @korzen303,

I am trying to use a dynamic mesh and meshcollider which is updated per frame from a Kinect camera, as a terrain surface on which to have flowing water.

Firstly, is this possible? And if so could you please provide some insight into the best way to approach this?

Thanks for your on-going work with this asset.. cheers!

 

Is there any chance for uFlex or SSF pro going on sale this year? I really can't afford to buy them at full price atm.

 

Hey @korzen303 Is this asset still in development? Haven't heard from you in a while.

 

Hi,

I want to achive this result:

Is softbody cutting possible with uFlex?

Sorry for my bad english

Best Wishes,
Thanks

 

Does anyone knows how can I render fluids to see them as water?

 

@NtooThuv Please have a look at ScreenSpaceFluids examples in uFlex package

 

Thank you I didn't see it!

 

IS this still being developed?

 

hey @korzen303 how to create kinematic object in Uflex ?!!

 

how can i set the initial state of cloth, coz while i simulate the cloth to specific shape,and i want to keep the shape then restart it to simulate in other step

 

Hi Guys,

Facing one issue with uflex.
When i make build it doesnt show any error but uflex particles don't run in build i am facing this issue even with example scenes.

 

My uFlex wish list :
1) I have a problem that uFlex editor tab does not appear in unity5.6 or above.
2) Tearable softbody or cloth with some thickness expression on surfaces.
3) Various initial fluid particle container in addition to cube shape only.

Thanks for reading~! Please let me know when next version of uFlex will come out.

 

Hi @spcm009 , there is a problem with uFlex window in Unity 5.6+.
To fix it please double click the error log message in the console or go to line 74 in Editor/FlexWindow.cs and change the following code. Next, please reset Unity's layout (top right corner, Layout/Revert Factory Settings).

1. 
   
   Code (CSharp):

   1. Color color = new Color(UnityEngine.Random.value, UnityEngine.Random.value, UnityEngine.Random.value, 1.0f);

to

Code (CSharp):

1.  
2. Color color = Color.gray;

 

I had same problem at unity 5.6 or avobe, and it solved. Thanks a lot!

By the way, can I expect disconnectable rope at next version if uflex?

 

Hiya @korzen303

Just wanted to say I love the tool! I hope--if development is still active--that things are going well.

At this point, I'm trying to diagnose a flighty freeze issue that occurs occasionally. We use uFlex to simulate water in a virtual box filled with mountains and valleys that the user can change and adjust. We have the virtual box at about 100 x 100 meters, and we interpolate the vertices of the terrain mesh (and update colliders) slowly to allow the physics engine to displace the Flex particles over time.

I assume that this occasional freeze is coming from the uFlex plugin, but I don't have any proof. When the issue occurs, it doesn't get a chance to output any debug information. I've done a lot of analysis and work to try and rule out the possibility that the freeze is coming from our side... It's rare and it's hard to even pin down a cause. Usually we can't even reproduce a freeze.

We're currently running the project in Unity 5.6.1f1

We've applied pretty much every patch-update suggested by yourself in this forum

I've just now changed FixedUpdate in FlexSolver to LateUpdate by way of the suggestion at https://forum.unity3d.com/threads/u...visual-fx-released.397836/page-4#post-2892145
(it seems to help slightly)

I'm also going to look into dedicating one of our GPUs to CUDA, suggested by yourself here https://forum.unity3d.com/threads/u...visual-fx-released.397836/page-2#post-2755048

There's one suspicious thing that we were able to notice... The Update() function of FlexSolver.cs contains this line

Code (CSharp):

1. Flex.SetParams(m_solverPtr, ref m_params);

We found that this line sometimes throws a NullReferenceException. It should be noted that this exception does not SEEM to affect anything... the program continues running despite the exception. Here's what the stack shows:

I have no idea if that has anything to do with our freeze issue, but I was curious if you happened to have any ideas, or any way to possibly help us diagnose what might be going on. Any strategies to help rule out possible issues coming from Flex would be incredibly helpful.

Thanks for everything you've done!

 

Hi @Multivarious01,

can you please drop me your email address? I can't send you a message via forum for some reason.

 

Hi @korzen303.
i am new with Flex and uFlex.
Sorry, if I ask, but I don't understand how can create a simple cube with custom particles(for example 4) without using FlexWindow wizard. i want create an empty object and change it to Flex rigid body just with component and scripts, is it possible?

 

@Mafixmafix Hi, you need to use the FlexWizard as it sets-up for you many Flex related arrays. Unless you want to type all the data by hand in the inspector, for a simple cube it would be doable, but not for any more complex shape.

 

Hi - Has anyone had any success constraining Nv Flex Tearing Cloths at certain vertices (ie the corners) the way one typically can with Unity default cloths?

 

Hi @korzen303.
This is chanddu,Can I render different meshes in uflex?I am just giving new mesh to the cloth but the particles are aligning to the default mesh.
With Regards,
Chanddu.

 

Hi, I just bought the uFlex plugin.
When I look at the quickstart video it shows to go to "tools -> uflex" and then a window should pop open.
When I click on "uflex" it doesn't do anything.

Also when I start a new empty project with uflex as plugin I get the following errors (probably why I'm not getting the uflex editor window) Can you help me out? Kinda dissapointing that a just bought plugin give you errors...

 

@deets

Hi, there is a problem with uFlex window in Unity 5.6.
To fix it please double click the error log message in the console or go to line 74 in Editor/FlexWindow.cs and change the following code. Next, please reset Unity's layout (top right corner, Layout/Revert Factory Settings).

Code (CSharp):

1. Color color = new Color(UnityEngine.Random.value, UnityEngine.Random.value, UnityEngine.Random.value, 1.0f);

to

Code (CSharp):

1. Color color = Color.gray;

 

Hi @korzen303 and everyone who will read this,

I work with a HTC Vive and I want to create a water hose with uFlex, I can interact with my controller on my water hose. Everytime I launch the simulation, fps drop from 85 to 10 and I'm forced to restart my Vive and Unity. I think it comes from the Solver when it calls my GPU (Push & pull).

Can anyone tell me if he already had this problem in VR ? Or if I have to set specific flex parameters for my water hose ?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

• GPU : GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
• CPU : i7 6700k
• Ram : 16gig

 

is Devlpment stil active? cant wait for any update. Love this Plugin!

Bought fluid pro couple months back in hope updates come

Kind Regards
Daniel

 

This fixed it! Thanks for the quick reply!

I do have a follow up question.
I would like to drag the objects with my mouse, I know there is a "Flex Mouse Drag" script, but when using that the models move so slow to the mouse, I would like to make them snap faster, is that possible?

Also, how do I make softbodies more firm? I know they are called soft bodies for a reason, but I would like them semi soft if that makes sense, like rubber instead of gum like

 

Hey there! First of all, terrific plugin! I've already gotten a ton of use out of it, but now I need a solution to what I believe is a very simple problem. I'd like to write a script where I can assign a single flex particle and manipulate the force applied to that particle dynamically. Ideally, there would be a weight variable that controls how much surrounding particles move as well. I've taken a look at the mouse drag script and it makes some sense to me, but since I'm not much of a programmer, I'm still at a loss as to how to approach this. Any pointers on how to achieve this would be appreciated!