Moving water surface of a pool

[xxxsalvo]

Hi Corona users!
I have a question for you. I'am starting to say that I'am a Cinema 4D user so all the solutions should be related to this software.
With the latest updates Corona is able to create wonderful caustics results but I would to level up these.
I often realize images with pools and watching reference images I see this amazing moving water effect. Do you have some advices to make it? Usually I use a deformer applied to a plane to moving the water and create the caustics but the result is homogenous. In this case I think that I have 2 ways to obtain the result:
1. Work on a texture;
2. Recreate the moving water with a fluid simulation software (I hope no..).

Some advices??
Thanks in advance to all that will have the time to read and answer.

SL

[celmar]

hello! it seems to me that the surface of the water has concentric folds in volume... a displacement map would be what I'd try, with, if animation is necessary, a variation in the height of the displacement... on the other hand, if you want an animated movement from the bather, and widening, it's probably real flow that could do it...

[xxxsalvo]

Hi celmar :)
I don't need animation only still frames. Any ideas how I can generate this kind of displacement map?

[maru]

Random idea: maybe you could run some sort of simple non-fluid simulation (for example cloth?), render zdepth for it, and use it as displacement?

[xxxsalvo]

Could be an idea! I will try when i can :) Thanks!

[BigAl3D]

I searched this phrase "pool ripples displacement map" and saw a bunch of what you're looking for from various stock image sites. If nothing else, it will give you a visual to what you need to make if you go that route. Also normal maps too.

One mistake I see people make though, it showing a pool with no people in it, but has lots of ripples. Maybe it its very windy you might get some, but usually pools are glassy smooth without swimmers.