PARTICLES: Introduction to Simulation Nodes

Instructor:
Thom Barron

Learn everything there is to know about Simulation Nodes… and make a custom physics engine at the same time! 

We’re going to build this whole behemoth from the ground up. From single particles to boundary collisions. From particle-to particle collisions to a non-compressible fluid solver. We’ll simulate strings, cloth, rigid, and soft bodies!

It’s time to take Geometry Nodes to the next level

In this course, we will cover:

  • repeat zone
  • simulation zone
  • position/velocity/acceleration
  • delta time
  • variable radius
  • constraints of all kinds
  • Euler/Verlet integration
  • dampening
  • stability
  • shading
  • collision detection
  • boundary conditions strings/cloth/rigid/soft bodies
  • the list goes on and on!

Course Overview

Chapter 1

Simulation Zone

We'll begin with covering the ins and outs of the Simulation Zone - what it's good for, how temporal loops work, steps, delta time, attributes, initial conditions, etc. Expect to get familiar with these nodes as we start implementing vector-based physics!

Chapter 2

A Complete Workflow

This is not a "click this button - trust me, it works" kind of course. Instead, we'll go over what we're doing and why we're doing it. In fact, in Chapter 2, we will spend some time optimizing our initial physics solver. From the Euler approach to the Verlet approach, we'll reduce our simulation error as much as possible.

Chapter 3

Surpassing Blender

Have you ever noticed that Blender doesn't natively let you rip cloth during a simulation? Since we don't have access to the underlying logic that runs the cloth solver, there is nothing we can do about that... But with our own cloth solver this isn't an issue! We can do even better than that! Want to mix simulation types (fluid + cloth, rope + rigid body)? With a particle based physics engine none of those limitations exist! 

Defy limitations and start building your own particle based physics engine!

Start Course

Get this course and 252 others by joining CG Cookie

Awarded upon completion:
100xp +
Course Curriculum
4 Reviews
  • Martin Aversa(cgtin) ·

    This is an amazing intro to simulation nodes! I am already waiting for part 2


    Great teacher too :)

  • c
    Ciprian Costa(cipri) ·

    I liked the content and the delivery style. Congrats!

  • De Etta Ewing(eccentric3D) ·

    Appreciate the teaching style and the subject.  Great to have node use and organization backed up with foundational physics and problem solving approach.  I learned so much- Thank you!

  • Lewis Thorpe(DripInspector) ·
    I went into this course with no idea what simulation nodes are, I exit with a good knowledge of what they are and how to use them to make cool scenes. This course has given me the foundational knowledge of the workflow used to create complex simulations which I am sure will be very useful for further studies of geometry node based simulations.

    The instructor is clear and concise with their points, they easily explain complex problems in a way that is easy to understand. Overall I highly recommend this course for anyone interested in geometry nodes or simulations.