UE4 x 3Ds Max for VFX

escudero

Hi,
I`m currently a Computer Animation student, unfortunately we dont have a degree targeting only VFX (Particle and this kind of stuff), so that`s the closest I found for what I really want to do.
I looked for some VFX works (Riot 2014 content, the VFX works are amazing!), and most of them were done using UE4 + 3DS Max (what the strongest point of each?), I know the basics (what is particle, more lecture stuff by reading books and so on) but zero practice because I`m a kind of lost about where to begin.

The effects I`m talking about is something like this:

http://www.klemenlozar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Klemen_Lozar_RiotContest_Final.mp4

Could someone give me a ``light``?

Sorry for my english, I`m learning this new language..
Regards,
Luis

sprunghunt

In Unreal you would use the Cascade Particle system

https://docs.unrealengine.com/latest/INT/Engine/Rendering/ParticleSystems/index.html

You would need to make textures in photoshop but most of the work would be done in unreal.

Ged

those vfx are awesome, probably a mix of many skills went into those fx. I would start with something basic eg a campfire or an explosion of sparks. Make those look convincing and have the right movement and weight. Then work your way up to using more complex techniques eg multiple particle fx and meshes in one vfx, mesh animation and custom shaders and flipbook/spritesheet textures which you render in maya or max in fumefx etc.

a good book to look at for vfx artists is [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Elemental-Magic-Volume-Special-Animation/dp/0240811631"]Elemental Magic, Volume I: The Art of Special Effects Animation: 9780240811635: Computer Science Books @ Amazon.com[/ame]

it is a little odd but really helps people to think about vfx as an artist rather than just a technician that uses software, also helps you to learn to observe nature more.

escudero

Thank you guys, someone else know any material for I get started and the difference between this 2 softwares?

Bruno Afonseca

Each kind of effect demands a different approach, some things can be done fully in the game engine, others need quite a bit of work on a 3d package before putting that in an engine.
I'd advise you to get Unreal Engine and mess around with the particle editor a lot. There's quite a bit of documentation on it so I'd start with the basics and see how far you can push it.

There's also a facebook group for Real time VFX artists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realtimevfx/

escudero

Bruno Afonseca wrote: »

Each kind of effect demands a different approach, some things can be done fully in the game engine, others need quite a bit of work on a 3d package before putting that in an engine.
I'd advise you to get Unreal Engine and mess around with the particle editor a lot. There's quite a bit of documentation on it so I'd start with the basics and see how far you can push it.

There's also a facebook group for Real time VFX artists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/realtimevfx/

Thanks:thumbup:

littleclaude

Some inspiration for you, good luck!

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z687LEgmjG0[/ame]


[vv]101571068[/vv]


Intro tut
http://www.digitaltutors.com/tutorial/1880-Introduction-to-Particle-Systems-in-Unreal-Engine

tharle

http://www.imbuefx.com/downloads/tag/tutorials/

its not updated much any more (Bill now works at Epic) but there's some great beginner tutorials here (and an fx specific forum)

cheers

Finalhart

From the little i know about when do you use 3ds max to make VFX for games is: you render out a particle simulation, then you use after effects to make the sprites out of the render and then you export them into UE4 to start making your effects. Some of them will only need to use UE, others just Photoshop+UE4.

Ged

there are a few programs to help beginners or indie studios to get vfx done in games pretty cheap. Just dont rely on them too much, control the artistic direction of the vfx yourself where possible.

http://www.rigzsoft.co.uk

https://www.codeandweb.com/texturepacker