Understand what Pyro is and how fire, smoke, and explosions are used in real-time VFX.
Learn Houdini’s interface, navigation, and the core node/operator system.
Create sources for fire, smoke, and explosions to drive your simulations.
Explore the Pyro Solver, its parameters, fields, and forces to build basic simulations.
Simulate cinematic explosions from scratch and with shelf tools.
Build realistic fire effects and compare custom setups with shelf tools.
Create smoke effects, trails, and atmospheric variations.
Render fire, smoke, and explosions with Karma using a 6-point light setup.
Pack explosion and smoke channels for engine-ready textures.
Import your simulations into Unreal and build fire, smoke, and particle materials.
This introductory Houdini Pyro course is designed for beginners seeking to create realistic VFX, including explosions, smoke, and fire. In this 8-hour online course, students will explore Houdini’s interface and Pyro tools, learning to navigate its node-based system for creating and controlling dynamic effects. The course covers essential techniques for simulating realistic explosions and optimizing VFX for game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine. Participants will also learn lighting and rendering fundamentals, including setting up a 6-point lighting rig to add depth and realism, as well as applying custom shaders to enhance textures and materials for fire, smoke, and explosions.
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Hello, I'm Mustafa Al Obaidi, and I'm a passionate VFX artist currently at EA DICE, With a rich background in VFX, I've had the privilege of contributing to several noteworthy titles, including:
Battlefield 6, Contraband, Gears of War Tactics, Shadow of War, and, Solar Purge
Throughout my career, I've honed my skills in crafting immersive visual experiences that captivate audiences and elevate gameplay dynamics.
Beyond my professional work, I am deeply committed to sharing my knowledge and expertise with aspiring artists and enthusiasts.
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âś…Lifetime Access
âś…Houdini - Student License (6-months)
âś…Discord access
âś… Live Q&A Sessions
Laura Legras
Student
Jacob Pernell
Student
Richard MĂĄhl
Student
Yes, we provide opportunities for students to connect, collaborate, and seek support through our dedicated online community. You can participate in discussions, share insights, ask questions, and receive feedback from instructors and peers throughout the duration of the course.
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-14-Day Refund Period: Customers have up to 14 days from the date of purchase to request a refund for their course.
-Eligibility: To be eligible for a refund, customers must not have completed more than 20% of the course content.
-Refund Process: Refund requests must be submitted in writing via email or through the designated refund request form on our website. The request must include the customer's name, email address, course name, and reason for the refund.
-Refund Processing Time: Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receiving the refund request.
-Payment Plan: For customers who have opted for a payment plan, if a refund is approved, only payments made up to the point of the refund request will be refunded. Any future payments will be canceled.
-Exceptions: Refunds will not be granted for courses purchased during promotional or discounted periods, unless otherwise specified at the time of purchase.
-Non-Transferable: Refunds are non-transferable and apply only to the original purchaser of the course.
-Course Access: Upon approval of a refund, the customer's access to the course materials will be revoked.
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The time commitment for the course may vary depending on individual learning styles and schedules. However, to give you a more concrete guideline, we recommend dedicating approximately 5-7 hours each week. This time includes engaging with course materials, completing assignments, and working on hands-on projects. Adjusting this time based on your personal pace and understanding of the material can help you maximize your learning outcomes
This course is designed to be flexible, allowing students to progress through the modules at their own pace. While there are no strict deadlines for assignments, we encourage students to maintain a regular study schedule to stay on track and make the most of the learning experience.
