The Specialization Master in Houdini for VFX at FX Barcelona Film School is a one-year program designed to train artists specialized in visual effects (VFX) using the industry-leading VFX software: Houdini. The training combines advanced simulations of particles, fluids, fabrics, rigid and soft bodies, fire, smoke, and explosions with the integration of these effects into high-level cinematic or interactive scenes. The main objective is for you to be capable of working on high-level productions upon completion of the training, integrating your knowledge into professional pipelines and developing a professional portfolio and demo reel that demonstrates your technical and creative skills.

• Mastering Houdini as the main tool for creating and simulating advanced VFX: dynamics, particles, fluids, cloth, fire/smoke.
• Integrating visual effects created in Houdini into real or virtual environments, achieving a professional finish in line with industry standards.
• Building a high-level technical-artistic portfolio that will help you stand out in selection processes for studios and production companies.
• Accessing a specialized professional profile in film studios, animation, video games, or virtual production with a very high employability rate.
• Developing creativity, technical expertise, and innovative capability through your own visual effects, creating a unique visual identity and real production capacity.
• Developing technical and creative skills to work in international visual effects studios.
• Acquiring knowledge in simulation optimization, VEX scripting, and procedural modeling, which are essential in professional pipelines.

• Advanced Simulations in Houdini: You will work on techniques such as FLIP for fluids, Ocean Tools, smoke/fire, rigid/soft dynamics, particles, and procedural effects generation.
• Procedural Modeling and HDA Tools: You will learn procedural geometry, creation of custom tools (Houdini Digital Assets), and optimization for real production.
• VEX Programming and Pipeline Optimization: Scripting development to control symptoms, attributes, and process automation within the VFX workflow.
• Practical Production in a Studio Environment: Group project simulating a real studio pipeline, interdisciplinary collaboration, version management, and deliverables. Followed by an individual final project for the demo reel.
• Portfolio and Professional Demo Reel: The work you do during the master's program will help you build a specialized VFX demo reel and a professional portfolio with high-level projects.
• Onsite or Online Modality + Included Licenses: You can attend the training in Barcelona or online in real-time, in Spanish or English, with included software licenses.
• Job Placement and Professional Support (AlumniX Program): Upon completion, you will have access to professional guidance, an international job placement service, and a network of industry contacts.

Upon completing the master's program, you will be prepared to take on roles such as:

• VFX Artist specialized in Houdini in film studios, animation, video games, or virtual production.
• FX TD (Technical Director) developing tools, simulations, and pipelines for visual effects.
• Visual effects supervisor or technical specialist within VFX departments.
• 3D Generalist specializing in effects for interactive environments, VR/AR, or virtual production.
• Freelancer or expert consultant in visual effects, advanced simulation, and high-level postproduction.

Thanks to its technical-creative approach and high level, this training positions you to join the global VFX industry.

• Introduction to Houdini: basics of Houdini, geometry, nodes, attributes, UVs, texturing, VDBs, and Karma Render.
• POP (Particles): particle simulations, rain, sparks, magical effects, Curl Noise, and volume advection.
• PYRO (Smoke and Fire): smoke, fire, aerial and massive explosions, Pyro Burst, Shockwave, and cloud creation.
• FLIP (Fluids): viscous liquids, bubbles, Ocean Tools, and large-scale simulations.
• Vellum Cloth: fabric simulation, clothing, fractures, soft bodies, and Vellum Grains.
• Vellum Grooming: human and animal hair, grass, feathers, styling, and realistic simulation.
• Crowds: crowds, Agent and CrowdSource nodes, Ragdolls, foot locking, integration with RBD and Vellum Cloth.
• RBD (Rigid Bodies): fractures, metal deformations, glue, soft and hard constraints, debris, and smoke.
• Heightfields: terrain creation, erosion, instancing, USD asset layout, and advanced texturing.
• Procedural Modeling: procedural geometry, UVs, Copernicus texturing, HDA creation.
• POP/PYRO/RBD: integration of large-scale combined simulations, pipeline optimization, and custom force usage.
• FLIP (Advanced): advanced liquid simulation, White Water, Wet Maps, mesh refinement, and lookDev.
• VEX: advanced scripting for attribute control, automation, and simulation optimization.
• Team Production: group project simulating a professional pipeline.
• Final Project: high-level individual project for portfolio and professional demo reel.

Explanation of the Study Plan

At the beginning, you will dive into Houdini exploring procedural geometry and parametric modeling. Then, you will tackle key VFX simulations (particles, fire, cloth) to understand physics, dynamics, and visual impact. Next, you will delve into fluids, VEX scripting, and pipeline optimization, preparing for professional production. Finally, you will work as a team on a real study project and an individual project to create your demo reel and specialized portfolio, showcasing your technical-artistic level.

• Houdini: Particle simulation, fluid simulation, fire simulation, smoke simulation, cloth simulation, crowds, and procedural modeling.
• Karma Render: High-quality rendering within Houdini.
• Copernicus: Advanced procedural texturing.
• Ocean Tools: Large-scale water and ocean simulations.
• VEX: Advanced scripting for automating and optimizing complex simulations.

To enroll in this training program at FX Barcelona Film School, follow these steps:

• Be over 20 years old.
• Have previous knowledge in 3D for VFX (modeling, basic simulation) and post-production (basic knowledge of Nuke is recommended) - this training is for advanced level.
• Have a clear vocation towards visual effects, animation, or digital production.
• Submit a portfolio or samples of previous work that demonstrate your interest, skills, or aptitude in 3D/VFX.
• Request a personal orientation interview by contacting the school's admissions team to analyze your profile, motivation, and adaptability to the program.

Because it is a highly specialized VFX training focused on Houdini, at the #1 VFX school in Spain, accredited by SideFX as an Official Houdini School. It offers practical methodology, advanced simulations, a real studio pipeline, specialization for high-level productions, a professional demo reel, and international job opportunities.