INTRO TO FLIP:

We will go over FLIP simulations in detail and explain how FLIP works under the hood. Creating effects that look great is one thing but getting that setup to work procedurally is key if you have to implement that same effect over and over. This is what we will be doing with our flip setup in Houdini. Starting with setting up the container and the basic settings.

FLIP SETUP:

Continuing with a proper collider creation and what to look out for. We will refine our simulation settings to get the most out of the flip solver. Being able to direct your FX is key and this is what we will be doing in the sim enhancements class. Adding custom forces for more realism and detail. We will go over how to mesh your flip and especially what to look for when rendering and combining with a larger lake or ocean surface. This includes attribute preparation as well as the meshing itself.

WHITE WATER:

To fully utilize the great new white water solver we will go over a proper sourcing with custom and built in methods. To maximize the potential of the new white water system and to be able to art direct it we will customize the native solver to our needs and have a indepth look at the available settings.

SECONDARIES:

Adding additional elements is key to tying things together. This is the case for the smoke simulation. To give the smoke sim a more grainy and wet look we will also create additional mist particles.

SHOT WORK:

To prove our setup works we will then go ahead and learn how to apply it to different types of scenarios and how to set up complex shots.

ENVIRONMENT CREATION:

This week we will start with going over the process to create an interesting environment and also how to set up a scatter system to efficiently render thousands of trees and bushes.

WATER LOOKDEV:

We will then dive into ocean spectrums and create our lake waves and start to lookdev the water surface that we will be rendering.

FOG & CLOUDS:

Finishing off this week we will go over the creation of fog and clouds to finalize our look for the scene.

FX SHADING & LOOKDEV:

To finish our project and make our fx shine we will learn some important shading techniques for water-effects. Starting with the water itself where we customise the ocean shader using specific attributes and masks. Continuing with the shading of the white water where we will be creating a volume shader for points with a “wet” look to them.

RENDER & SHOT MANAGEMENT:

Finally after finishing all the shading and test rendering we will go ahead and start to assemble everything and talk about layering our fx and how to efficiently split up our scene.

COMPOSITING:

Finishing off the course we will briefly go over the compositing of the shots.

Remember that there is definitely more content in the course than we can describe in a short  outline. That’s the reason it’s just an outline. Also make sure to watch the Trailer to get a better idea of the content covered.

Now I do want to mention that the path I took for this course is not the only one. Luckily in Houdini there are multiple ways of doing things. I choose the ones I usually use in production and also ways so that I can share as much general information as possible of day to day situations you may encounter during a project. I do cover every step and explain it. Some more in depth and some just roughly. The reason is simply the fact that the course has time constraints and also a focus which is FLIP.

Taking a course is one thing. Actually applying the information to a real project really makes it sink in. That’s why for every week I created assignments that will help you complete your own project.

So let me show you the world of FLIP-Fluids and the process of creating a final project in a production environment.

I’ll see you in the course!