Cache meshes using BIF format

You can cache the output mesh of a Bifröst simulation, or in fact any polygon mesh, using .bif files. This format may be convenient because it uses separate files per frame, however it does not store all the mesh information that may be available with other formats.

Note: If the BIF Cache submenu does not appear on the Cache menu, then make sure that bifmeshio.mll is loaded in the Plug-in Manager.

Export a BIF mesh cache

1. Select one or more polygon meshes to cache.
   Note: To cache the mesh output of a Bifröst fluid simulation using this procedure, you must make sure that meshing is enabled in the fluid shape's attributes (see Work with Bifröst meshes). Alternatively, you can cache the mesh at the same time as caching the simulation itself, as described in Create a Bifröst user cache.
   Tip: BIF mesh caches are triangulated. To ensure that the resulting topology does not change, first set Quad Split to either Left or Right in the shape's Mesh Controls attribute group.
2. Select Cache > BIF Cache > Export Selection To BIF.
3. Make sure that the Cache directory is set as desired. In particular, you may need to create a new directory for a new cache.
4. Make sure that the other options are set as desired. See BIF Mesh Export.
5. Click Export Selection.

Each selected mesh is exported to a subfolder of the Cache directory, named after the object.

Import a BIF mesh cache

1. Select Cache > BIF Cache > Import BIF.
2. Set Cache directory to the folder containing the cache files to import.
   • If the Cache directory is the parent of multiple caches in separate object directories, they are all imported.
   • You can select a single object directory to import only its cache files.
3. Click Import.