Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently simulating breaking waves in real-time. A two-dimensional shallow water height field simulation generates height and velocity information used to generate a wave line for each wave within the height field that satisfies criteria for overturning. For each overturning wave, a wave sheet is created from particles generated relative to points on the respective wave line. Each wave sheet may move separately from an underlying wave that gave rise to the wave sheet, allowing the wave sheet to fall and break, creating a realistic appearance. As a falling wave sheet collides with the underlying wave or water surface, free particles may be generated to simulation spray visible on a real breaking wave.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for computing two-way rigid body coupling in a two-dimensional height field simulation, such as a shallow water simulation. Coupling from a rigid body to a fluid is computed using fluid displacement of the body in each grid cell. The body is projected onto a simulation plane to determine which grid cells are covered by the body. Fluid displacement from the body is computed for each grid cell based on displacement within a corresponding vertical column of fluid. Fluid displacement is distributed to neighboring grid cells prior to a height field computation. Coupling from the fluid to the rigid body is computed by integrating forces imparted on the body by the fluid at each grid cell. The integrated forces are used to compute a new position for the body in a subsequent simulation time step.