Hi Chris,
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The viewports have a different algorithm than the picture viewer. If not, you would have to press after each action a refresh button. Caching everything should help here.
I have set so many parameter either back to default or to other values that it would take a while to explain it all, instead, here is a three cube example, that shows the three main ideas.
Example
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/474WLlLqeHHGYv18xJ7zdK2DOBDxYRz9A0EtDcMpjsm
Putting my mentor head on: For example, take the green Cube, duplicate it, move away from the other green Cube. Make certain all cache is cleared. Now check other parameters with the new green Cube. Increase decrease. This is an interactive way of learning the influence all the parts have. Yes, the is always an urge to start with a larger scene, getting the little tip to make it all work. But the next set up, you would feel more comfortable. Increase the friction, set it back, increase dampening, set it back, set both up, etc. Right Mouse click to read about in the Help Content. Then try again. This earned knowledge can’t be provided from 3rd party sources in this quality. It needs that work. The work here is that you ask a question, and that urge will give the motivation. With tutorials, one might nod and say: I got that. However – A week later, what was that…? Just finding something that works by playing “parameter lottery” will not educate in the way it is needed to feel savvy. Have you ever tried Aerodynamics-parameter? /mentor hat off.
The shape of the object is crucial. In this case I went with “Box” (just for speed), but I rather would use Moving Mesh on other set ups.
The key is to get energy out of the equation on the end. Please have a look, after you really have explored the three cubes.
I typically think that high friction values take the energy out of the scene, but it also prevents the objects to settle into the final position. The manual even states that low friction values lead to an early “stop”. However, rough wood boards on raw soil might work differently. Here I would se the Floor high and the wood boards lower, then the pile in it self can settle into its final position quickly, before that happens, the board friction can be animated higher (should be a second between both keys). I hope that makes sense. But as tried to explain with the three cubes, it is a result of many parameters, and the more one knows about, the less trouble is given to set them up iteratively to the final sweet spot. NOPE, there is no one size fits all, hence why I ask to explore this.
Scene file
https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive/share/CS8x6ToUrnXIrhwh0goUs3BKhGtTIfPPIouURellWl5
Have a great start into your week!