Course Overview
Step into the world of real-time FX creation with a course that bridges the power of Houdini and Unreal Engine 5. This tutorial offers a hands-on journey through crafting high-quality effects for games and cinematic projects, from dust trails and missile impacts to dynamic explosions and destruction. Following a structured approach, you’ll gain practical skills and deeper insights to produce AAA-quality FXs optimized for real-time environments.
In this tutorial, you’ll experience the professional workflows that guide studios in creating stunning effects, giving you a practical understanding of industry pipelines and best practices. All assets required to recreate the scene are included, helping you follow along and apply what you learn immediately.
Course Format
Pre-Recorded
Total Duration
3 Hours
Skill Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Unreal Engine and familiarity with Houdini
What You'll Learn
Houdini and Unreal Engine Workflow
Understand the integration between Houdini and UE5, learning how to transfer assets and effects to produce high-quality visuals.
Building a Complete VFX Scene
From dust trails to explosive impacts, you'll break down complex sequences into manageable parts, designing a cinematic air battle on a desert planet.
Real-Time Effects with Niagara
Gain hands-on experience using Niagara in UE5 to create a range of real-time effects, such as thruster flames, muzzle flashes, missile trails, and shield impacts.
Houdini Flipbooks for Real-Time Use
Master the process of creating and using flipbooks from Houdini in a real-time environment, ideal for adding dynamic elements like dust and explosions
Destruction Simulation using Chaos
Develop dynamic destruction with UE5's Chaos, allowing you to produce captivating action sequences that add drama and realism
Optimization Techniques for Performance
Learn to optimize your effects to maintain performance without sacrificing quality, ensuring that your scenes are both visually stunning and suited to real-time applications.
Course Breakdown
Course Introduction
Begin your journey with an overview of the course objectives, tools, and software essentials. Get acquainted with the project setup, from naming conventions to project organization, and learn how to install Labs Tools for the Steam version of Houdini. This foundational chapter sets the stage for an efficient and organized workflow.
Understanding the Scene
Analyze the sequence and break down the FX tasks into smaller, manageable elements. You’ll review example files and identify the sequence's major visual effects components, creating a plan for tackling each one with precision and focus.
Creating Environmental Effects
Dive into environmental VFX creation, focusing on generating dust effects using Houdini flipbooks within UE5’s Niagara. You’ll explore flipbook creation, real-time optimization, and key parameters to ensure a high-quality effect that blends seamlessly into the scene.
Aircraft Effects
Design and animate various aircraft effects, including thruster flames, shields, and missile trails. This chapter covers essential VFX techniques such as using noise textures, generating shield mesh, and building interactive elements that allow for real-time control by game designers.
Explosion Effects
Learn how to create explosion effects using Houdini’s pyro elements and UE5’s Niagara. This chapter guides you through designing impactful explosions, adding debris and shockwaves, and finalizing the look with distortion effects and decal creation for a touch of realism.
Turret Effects
Develop turret-related effects, from muzzle flashes to Chaos-based destruction, adding an extra layer of intensity to your cinematic scene. Learn to create realistic bullet impacts, small debris, and caching methods to integrate the effects into the scene timeline.
Finalizing the Scene
Bring all together in this final chapter, where you’ll focus on integrating and refining each effect for a polished cinematic experience. Add camera shake for dramatic impact, fine-tune the visual effects, and configure render settings to ensure the final sequence is production-ready.
This course breakdown allows you to tackle complex VFX creation step-by-step, empowering you to build a cohesive, cinematic scene with real-time FX that captivates and engages. Each chapter progressively expands your skills, ensuring you finish the course ready to implement high-quality visual effects in both games and cinematic projects.
Your Instructor
Stan Petruk is a Senior real-time visual effects artist with over a decade of experience in the gaming and cinematic industries. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the behind some of the most recognized titles in the gaming world, including Saints Row, MechWarrior 5: Clans, Agents of Mayhem, Overkill’s The Walking Dead, WWE Immortals (mobile), and Mortal Kombat (mobile).
Stan has held senior VFX roles at top studios, such as Piranha Games, Avalanche Studios, and Sperasoft, and has also worked as a real-time VFX artist at Techland. His deep expertise in creating high-quality visual effects has made him a valuable asset to these studios, where he has helped bring dynamic and immersive experiences to life.
Professional Experience at Leading VFX Studios
Why Learn on CGCircuit?
Expert-Led Content
Learn from industry leaders and professionals with in-depth knowledge, proven methods, and real-world experience.
Connect with Creators
Engage with instructors via messaging or Discord for direct feedback and support.
Your Hub for CG Content
Find a wide range of content for every skill level. Whether for personal growth or projects, CGCircuit connects you with creators worldwide to meet your goals.
Simple Learning Experience
Courses are organized into easy-to-follow chapters and lessons, making learning smooth and efficient. Take notes and mark key moments directly on the video player for quick reference.
Still Have Questions?
How do I purchase and access the tutorial?
Click "Get Started," which will redirect you to CGCircuit. Once purchased, you’ll have lifetime access to the course, including any future updates.
Can I download the tutorial for offline viewing?
All the tutorials hosted on CGCircuit are available for streaming, but you can watch them anywhere at any time.
Can I download the tutorial materials?
Yes, project files are available for download. This way, you can follow along, apply what you learn in your projects.
Is there a certification upon completion?
While CGCircuit does not provide formal certification, you will gain invaluable skills recognized across the industry. Many artists have advanced their portfolios and careers after completing similar courses.
Can I get support if I have questions?
Absolutely! You can reach out to us through our dedicated form to receive any platform-related support or ask the author any questions about the course materials by clicking on "Message Creator" on the course page.
Are there any discounts or promotions available?
Occasionally, CGCircuit runs promotional campaigns offering discounts on tutorials and assets. Keep an eye out for current offers or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and future sales.
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