This course, aimed at VFX artists with Houdini experience, focuses on integrating Houdini and Unreal Engine to design procedural environments and visual effects in Houdini, professionally integrating them into Unreal Engine, learning to use high-level tools like VDBs, Render lab, and Niagara, and understanding the complete workflow of a professional studio.

This training allows VFX artists with experience in film or advertising to expand their job opportunities within the video game and virtual production industry.
 

Module 1: Procedural

Objective: generation of modular environments and the procedural workflow between Houdini and Unreal for scenario creation

In Houdini: creation of procedural modules using HDA tools (Houdini Digital Assets). 
In Unreal: Importation of these HDA tools to build a playable scenario. You will also learn to texture and light it, giving it a final appearance and atmosphere.
This module is focused on generating modular environments and the procedural workflow between Houdini and Unreal.

Module 2: VDB

Objective: Create an explosion simulation and how to bring them to Unreal using two methods: VDB and Flipbooks

In Houdini: creation of a 'procedural' grenade, RBD and Pyro simulation of a small-scale explosion, VDB export and attributes, and Flipbook Render to view the two workflows.

In Unreal: importation of RBD animation + importation of VDB, creation of Volume materials, playable explosion animation within the previously created environment.

Module 3: Niagara

Objective: creation of a magical portal with particles and bringing it to Unreal's Niagara system
•⁠  ⁠In Houdini: creation of a magical portal with particles, preparation of layers for export to Niagara.
•⁠  ⁠In Unreal: importing particles into Niagara, setting particles with their own Niagara engine

Personal Project + Final Talk

Staging of at least two exercises done in class to demonstrate understanding of the different workflows + Masterclass by a VFX professional in Unreal.