PreonLab 1.4 provides a batch of usability improvements and additional features such as:

• Improved Connection Editor for a simplified and quicker simulation setup
• Revised Keyframe Editor for more efficiency and precision in setting up the kinematics
• Introduction of a separate simulation and view frame rate for, e.g., versatile post-processing
• Archive function for sparse data storage
• Integration of FFmpeg enables rapid video export from within PreonLab
• Liu drag force model introduces an improved droplet behavior without the need for parameter tuning

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Improved usability

The day-to-day work on setting up and manipulating a scene is greatly simplified by a variety of new and enhanced features.
Connection Editor: Navigation and clarity have been improved. Selected nodes are now highlighted and (optionally) focused on via zooming and moving the view. The number of visible nodes can be reduced to the selected ones and their immediate neighbors. Multiple nodes can be grouped together to perform an action on all underlying nodes at, e.g, adding or removing connections, or reorganizing the nodes in the view. The node layout is saved within the scene file.
Keyframe Editor: Adding or moving keys is more precise now with the ability to automatically snap the mouse position to the nearest time frame. Furthermore, keys can be copied from arbitrary keyable properties and pasted to other objects with similar properties, even across scene instances. Keyframed properties can be locked to prevent further editing. Imported keyframes are locked by default.
New fluid source variant: In addition to circle and square fluid sources, PreonLab 1.4 offers an area source which allows complex contours to define the inflow area.
Measuring tools: Measuring distances is crucial for a proper simulation setup. The measuring tools in PreonLab 1.4 can be stored and stay persistent during continued scene manipulation, increasing flexibility and usability.

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Post-processing and archiving

Another long-awaited feature is the possibility to separate the simulation frame rate from the view frame rate. The former decides how often the simulation data is saved to disk and governs the maximal time step, whereas the latter specifies the frame rate for post-processing operations like sensor measuring. This allows to process a 50 fps simulation at 25 fps, saving performance. The same idea applies to archiving, where a large amount of data often has to be kept on disk for a long time, e.g, for legal purposes or as frame of reference.
PreonLab 1.4. provides measures to reduce the amount of used disk space. The user can decide whether to thin out the simulation frames by specifying the ratio between frames simulated and frames to be kept. In addition, a lossy compression can be applied where the maximal error is given as a factor of the simulation resolution.

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Technology Preview: Preparing for PreonLab 2.0

Adding features for enhanced simulation analysis and reducing the effort of day-to-day tasks has been the focus of the previous PreonLab updates. Meanwhile, our research and development department is working hard on preparing PreonLab 2.0.
Following our paradigm to relieve the user from extensive tuning of the simulation parameters, the Liu drag force model has been introduced to the Preon core. This means matching the simulation with real-world references without parameter tuning.

Improving the Preon solver is also addressed by our ongoing research regarding adhesion and surface tension. PreonLab 2.0 will provide the user with a set of models governed by meaningful and assessable parameters.

In addition to the listed features, PreonLab 1.4 fixes a number of issues reported by our growing user base. Please check out the changelog for a full list of changes. To learn more about the new features, have a look at the updated manual. We hope that you will enjoy working with PreonLab 1.4 and appreciate your feedback at any time.

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FIFTY2 Technology has moved

We are proud to announce the relocation of FIFTY2 Technology GmbH into our new and larger head office. Please note the changed mailing address at the bottom of this email.