Does anyone have suggestions on how to create a believable heat haze or heat shimmer effect using either particles or fluids? I have a jet engine for which I’d like to create the effect.

I’m looking for something like this (shown in the video at the bottom of the page):

http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/vfx/ignite-a-sizzlin-hot-fire-burst/

I realize that using Nuke or After Effects is the simplest method. However my camera will be moving around a lot and I don’t want to have to worry about tracking. If I could make a convincing effect in Maya, it would save time.

Anyway, before I spend a day or two experimenting I was hoping someone here would have advice.

Thanks!

Ted

the simplest method would be to create a polygon as the fire exhaust and make it a softbody with springs. now animate it the way you might want with the turbulence field. now, make the poly’s transparency controlled by a ramp which could be further animated. also make sure the IOR to the relevant value you may want and that should yield partial effect. now, in the comp you could do what ever you may like with the haze layer.

hope this helps you..

reply if need any more info…