Syllabus

Master in Technical Art and VFX for video games

This area focuses on understanding the artistic and VFX requirements of the project, understanding the art direction, narrowing down the style of 3D assets, lighting and visual effects. The cosmetics of the project will be identified to plan and document the pre-production, ensuring that the artistic direction of the project is achieved with excellence through the support of technical art and VFX.

Pre-production and artistic requirements	Define and identify the project brief
	Understand the objective art direction
	Narrow down the style of the desired 3D, lighting and VFX assets
	Work plan and pre-production
	Technical Requirements to Achieve Technical Art Goals
Coordinate with art direction to pre-produce the Assets of a 3D environment for video games	Research, references and inspiration
	Planning and documentation for 3D pre-production
	Balancing and balancing the composition of assets
	Technical Requirements to Achieve Technical Art Goals
Coordinate with technical management to pre-produce the VFX of a 3D environment for video games	Research, references and inspiration
	Planning and documentation for VFX pre-production
	Balancing and Balancing Visual Effects Composition
	Technical Requirements to Achieve Technical Art Goals
Defining the project workflow between artists and programmers
Blocking Out and Validation	Definition of beauty corner
	Building the first mockups and block outs
	Proofs of concept and validation of ideas in pre-production

This block focuses on advanced techniques for the creation of 3D assets, highlighting the organization of projects and the optimization of assets with Blender. The importance of a robust naming system and efficiency in modular modeling is highlighted, preparing to face challenges in video game development with a practical focus on efficiency and detail in asset creation.

Initial Concepts	How to organize our projects
	The importance of having a robust and scalable naming system
	Teamwork, good practices and how teams work in the workplace
3D modeling (blender)	Review of techniques and basic concepts
3D modeling (blender)	Advanced modeling, hard surface and custom normals concepts
Modular Modeling	Planning of modular model sets
Basemesh, high poly, low poly and retopology	Pipeline 1: High and low poly modeling in Blender
	Pipeline 2: Basemesh and low-poly in Blender, high-poly in ZBrush
	Pipeline 3: High-poly in ZBrush and retopology in Blender
	3D model optimization techniques
	Importance of Texel Density
	Smoothing Groups
	Configure Material ID’s
	Scale, Pivot point, UV’s lightmap and things to keep in mind when exporting
	Creating UV’s in Blender
	Baking in Substance Painter: theory, methods, cage or cage baking, and setup
	See the other programs Maya and Max as secondary
Blender for Developers	Intro to Blender
	Geometry Nodes
	Extending Blender with Python

This block focuses on advanced texturing fundamentals and techniques, primarily using Substance Painter and Designer for 3D asset development. They range from the principles of PBR to the creation of detailed materials and textures, including procedural texturing methods. The packaging of texture channels and optimization for game engines is highlighted, preparing to apply realistic and efficient texturing techniques in the context of video game production.

Fundamentals Texturing with Substance Painter	Introduction to the PBR what it is and how it works
	2 workflows: Metallic – Roughness / Specular – Glossines
	Albedo, roughness and reflection maps
	Normal, detail normal, and displacement
	Opacity, Emissive and Subsurface Scattering
	Theory of Procedural Texturing Methods and Their Link to Substance Painter and Designer
	Methods: Unique textures, Trims, Tiling and Tiling + Decals
	Texture channels packing
Advanced Texturing with Substance	Defining Materials and Searching for References
	Introduction to Substance Painter
	Material layout and project organization
	Add channels like Emissive or Opacity and work with them.
	Create materials from 0
	Create materials using existing resources
	Stamps, Alphas, Brushes and Particles
	Creating Masks
	Smart materials, Mask generator, Filters and Anchor points
	“Modeling” by textures
	Grunge and Wear & Tear
	Finishing touches and error checking of PBR values
	How to Submit a Textured Portfolio Model
	Creating Tilable Textures in Painter or Designer
Fundamentals of Materials with Game Engines (EU and Unity)	Basic Rendering Concepts	Draw Call
		Rendering pipeline
		Shaders
	PBR Rendering and PBR Guide	Texture packing
	Editorial Material	Material Domain
		Blend Mode
		Shading Model
		Basic operations
	Material Master and Material Instance Workflow
	Basic PBR Master Material (EU)
Advanced materials and shading techniques with UE	Constants and Parameters	Textures
		Uvs
		Scalar
		Vectors
		Switches
	Basic Operations	Add
		Multiply
		Exp
		One Minus
		Min-Max
		Saturate
		Lerp
	Blending Modes	Opaque
		Masked
		Translucent
	Blending Techniques	Texture Masks
		Vertex Color
		Mask blending
		Height Based Blending
		Precomputed AO Mask
		UV based Masks
		Position based Masks
		Normal based Masks
		Time-based Masks
	Basic GPU animations	Time operations
		UV Panning
		Vertex Animations
	Advanced shading techniques	Tessellation
		Parallax Occlusion Mapping
		Skeletal Mesh animations a Vertex Anims
		Water Shading and Gerstner Waves
	Workflows with Layered Material	Layer and Layer Blends
		Data Forwarding
		Material Baking
Advanced materials and shading techniques with Unity	Shader Basics	High Level Shading Language (HLSL)
		Vertex/Fragment Shaders
		Data Buffer
		Coordinate space
		Loops
	Shaders with Lighting	Lighting
		Reflection
		Surface shaders
	Picture Effect Shaders	Image effects with Render textures
	Picture Effect Shaders	Filters and effects with Post processing stack
	Techniques	Color Management
		UV Management
		Vertex Management
		Management of normal
		Drawing techniques
		Picture effects
	Shaders with nodes	Shader Graph VS Amplify Shader Editor
	Culling and Shading optimization
	URP vs HDRP good practices

This block explores the workflow with Unreal Engine and Unity, offering a practical guide for integrating assets, creating materials, and assembling environments. Emphasis is placed on the structure of the project, optimization of lighting and textures for both engines, preparing for efficient development the creation of striking visual experiences, ensuring compatibility and taking advantage of the unique capabilities of each engine.

Blocking Levels and Tools	Basic Level Operations
	Blocking Tools
	Sub-Level Workflow
	Open World Levels	Streaming Grid
		Data Layers
	Level Instances
Static Meshes (UE) and Game Objects / Components (Unity)	Meshes	Basic structure: Vertex, Edges & Tris
		UV Mapping theory and basics
		Quick view of how 3D is created by artists
	Import
	Configure Nanite(EU)
	Configure LOD (without Nanite)
	Collisions
	Textures
	Basic Texturing Principles	Data Structure and Pixel Depth
		Compirmir textures by Authoring Tools
		Quick view of how textures are created by artists
	Texture Compression settings
	Mip Map generation
	Virtual Texturing
Skeletal Meshes	What is a skeletal mesh?	Skeleton and skinning concepts
	What is a skeletal mesh?	Quick view of how the Skeletal Meshes are created by the Skeletal Meshes
	Import and assets related to skeletal mesh
	LOD Config
Animations	What are the animations like?	Quick view of animations created by artists
	Animation Sequences (EU)
	Blend Spaces (EU)
	Animation Blueprints (EU)
	Animation Clips (Unity)
	Blend Trees (Unity)
	Mencanim & Animation Controllers (Unity)
Version control system

This block covers programming in Unreal Engine and Unity, focusing on Blueprints and C++ for UE, and C# for Unity. Basic concepts of programming, data structures, Boolean logic, and scripting for tool creation, animation control, and gameplay are explored. We work to understand the logic of the game, interactions, optimize performance, emphasizing efficient practices and collaboration with other technical profiles.

Blueprints	Quick Basics Review with Blueprints	Blueprint Life cycle
		Types and Variables
		Functions
		Boolean logic
	Branches
	Sequences
	Collections & Iterators
	Basic features
C++ in Unreal	UE setup for working in C++
	Introduction to C++ (Review and Fundamentals)
	Game Framework and C++ (Review and Fundamentals)
Unreal Editor Tools with Python	Introduction to Python Programming
	Python within Unreal Engine
	Editor Utility Widgets
	Customizing Menus in Unreal Editor
	Asset Validation
High-level programming with CSharp (Unity)	Monobehaviour
	Script planning
	Unity Runtime
	Events and methods
	Efficient features
Creating tools with CSharp (Unity)	Creating custom checkers and windows
	Tool Structure and Style
	Persistent information management of the tools
	Tool Design
	Tool Prototyping
	Tool development
	Tool Testing & Packaging
	Post Processing Materials

This block delves into advanced workflows for characters and animations in game engines, addressing cloth & physics, control rig, and blending techniques for animations. Methods for the creation of control rigs, use of dynamics, and the integration of animations with gameplay, as well as optimizing performance with Nanite and Metahuman in UE, and hair workflow techniques are taught. The implementation of complex characters and animations is worked on, improving interactivity and realism.

Advanced Character Workflows in Unreal Engine & Unity	Clothing and Physicals
	Control Rig / Mecanim	How to Build a Control Rig
		Uses in runtime
		Dynamics con control rig
	Animation Blending	Animation Blueprints and State Machines (EU)
		Animation Events (Unity)
		Animation Notifies (EU)
		Blend Trees (Unity)
		Blend Spaces and Aim Offsets (EU)
		Animation Montages (EU)
		Animation Layers (Unity)
		Animation Sync
		Dynamic IK Feet placement
	Nanite Workflow Applied to Skeletal Mesh (UE)
	MetaHuman Workflows (EU)
	Workflows with Hair using Blender
Real-time VFX in Unreal Engine & Unity	Niagara Particle Systems (EU)
	VFX Shading Techniques (EU)
	FluidNinja (EU)
	Embergen (EU)
	Third Party Plugins for Fluid Simulation (Unity)
	Shader Graph Techniques (Unity)
	Shuriken (Unity)
	Unity VFX Graph and Third Party Plugins to simulate Smoke and Fire (Unity)

This block addresses lighting techniques in Unreal Engine and Unity, focusing on types of lights, global illumination, shadows, and HDR. Methods for integrating lighting with art and design are explored, using dynamic lighting and ray tracing practices in Unreal, and RGI and Reflection Probes in Unity. The optimization of lights and multidisciplinary collaboration to achieve lighting objectives is highlighted, preparing to implement realistic and efficient lighting systems.

Lighting integration with UE & Unity	Types of lights
	Global Illumination
	Shadows
	HDR
	RGI (Unity)
	Reflection Probes (Unity)
	Post-Processing Stack (Unity)
	Dynamic Lighting (Unreal)
	Cascadeed Shadow Maps (Unreal)
	Ray Tracing (Unreal)
	Backed vs Real time Lighting
	Lighting optimization
	Lighting cycles
	Ambient Occlusion
	Collaborate with Artists and Designers to achieve lighting goals

This block focuses on optimization and integration strategies for Unreal Engine and Unity, highlighting the importance of an organized and scalable project structure. It addresses the quality control of the technical visual pre-production of the project, critical evaluation of the artistic objectives achieved, listing of assets, and polishing actions. Specific integration techniques for Unity3D and Unreal Engine are taught, including model import, material creation, and lighting configuration, ensuring maximum efficiency and visual quality.

Introduction to Game Engines	What is a Game Engine, see differences between UE4 and Unity
Introduction to Game Engines	Plan the project structure so that it is always organized and scalable.
Pre-production of environments	Analysis of concept art / Creation of a reference table
	List of assets
	Time estimation
	Pre-Task Breakdown and Planning
	Concepts of direct and indirect lighting, reflections and lightmaps
	Collision concepts in both game engines
	Terrain and vegetation systems in both game engines
Integration into Unity3D	Interface and getting started in Unity3D
	Project structure
	Importing Models from Blender
	Import of animated models.
	Introduction to Animator and Timeline
	Material creation and configuration
	Creating and managing prefabs
	Placing objects, creating environments
	Particles, decals and cookies
	Lighting Bases and Post-FX
	Optimisation
Unreal Engine Integration	Create the project structure, project management in the Content Browser, redirectors and things to keep in mind.
	Importing Models and Textures
	Material Creation: Nodes, Parameters, Master, and Instance materials
	Complete configuration of a static mesh
	Creating Actor Blueprints and Basic Practical Functionality
	Levels and Outliner System
	Setting up the environment, techniques, tricks and good habits
	Basic lighting
	Integrate a “Game mode” to test the environment
	Polish of the environment using particle and decals systems
	Optimization and scalability
	Ultimate lighting with ambient effects and reflection capture
	Post-process
	Kinematic camera system
	Sequencer and creation of a Flythrough and HD captures of the environment for the portfolio
Exporting assets (Input & Output pipelines)	Exporting Assets
Profiling with UE and Unity	Profiling Techniques
	Optimization & Best Practices	Lighting
		Static Meshes
		Texturing
		Skeletal Meshes
How to Document and Teach a Team of Artists
Build building

This block explores the procedural generation of content in Unreal Engine and Unity, ranging from 3D modeling to texturing and real-time visual effects. Advanced techniques are taught using tools such as Houdini for the creation of dynamic assets and environments, as well as the integration of particle systems and fluid simulations. It is prepared to implement efficient methods of procedural generation that enhance creativity and variety in video game projects.

Procedural generation techniques with UE	Introduction to Unreal Engine Modeling Tools
	Custom Blueprints for Procedural Content Generation
	Geometry Nodes within Unreal Engine (AlterMesh)
Procedural Generation Techniques with Unity	Probuilder
	Shader Graph
	Terrain and maps
Procedural Texturing with Substance Designer	Fundamentals of Substance Designer and Procedural Texturing	Introduction to Substance Designer: Basic Interface and Tools
		Principles of Procedural Texturing
		Creating Basic Materials
		Using Nodes and Basic Functions
	Advanced Techniques in Substance Designer	Generation of Complex Textures
		Automation and Advanced Features
		Asset Optimization for Video Games
	Integrating Textures into Unreal Engine	Exporting and Preparing Textures for Unreal
		Creating Materials in Unreal Engine
		Automation with Substance Plugin
		Texture Optimization for Unreal
	Integrating Textures into Unity	Exporting and Preparing Textures for Unity
		Creating Materials in Unity
		Automation with Substance Plugin
		Optimization Strategies in Unity
Procedural 3D modeling with Houdini	Introduction to Houdini: Interface and Navigation	Principles of Procedural Modeling
		Basic Nodes for Procedural Modeling
		Creating a Simple Procedural Asset
	Creating a Simple Procedural Asset	Using VEX for Procedural Modeling
		Generation of Procedural Land
		Architectural Structure Modeling
		Asset Optimization for Video Games
	Integration with Unreal Engine	Preparation of Procedural Assets for Export
		Using Houdini Engine in Unreal
		Import Process Automation
		Creating Dynamic Parameters in Unreal
	Unity integration	Exporting Assets from Houdini to Unity
		Using Houdini Engine in Unity
		Scripts for Controlling Procedural Assets in Unity
		Optimizing Procedural Assets for Unity
Realtime VFX with Houdini	Introduction to VFX in Houdini	Principles of Physical Simulations for VFX
		Creating Basic Particle Effects
		Integration of Simulations with Shaders
	Creating Advanced Effects	Procedural Fire and Smoke
		Effects of Water and Liquids
		Real-Time Destruction Simulation
		Climate and Environmental Effects
	VFX integration into Unreal Engine	Exporting Houdini Simulations to Unreal
		Niagara’s Use of Houdini Data
		Creating Blueprints to Control VFX
		VFX Optimization for Realtime in Unreal
	VFX integration in Unity	Preparation and Export of VFX from Houdini to Unity
		Integration with the Unity Particle System
		Scripts for Real-Time VFX Manipulation
		VFX Optimization Strategies for Unity

During this block, the final project of the course is completed by the preparation of the final composition. This stage marks the end of the Master’s degree, where the preparation of the reel and the implementation of post-production effects are emphasized, thus integrating all the skills acquired throughout the program.

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Syllabus

Master in Technical Art and VFX for video games

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