Houdini for Visual Effects and Dynamics, Statement of Completion, Part-time

Program Overview

The Statement of Completion in Houdini for Visual Effects and Dynamics equips individuals with the skills to design and produce visual effects for the digital entertainment industry. Through three progressive courses, students master Houdini, an industry-standard software, and develop proficiency in creating dynamic effects such as particles, fire, smoke, destruction, fluids, and collisions. This program enhances employability and professional capacity in visual effects and dynamics, expanding skillsets with in-demand software applications.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Statement of Completion in Houdini for Visual Effects and Dynamics equips individuals with the skills necessary to design and produce visual effects for various sectors within the digital entertainment industry. This program comprises three courses that progressively enhance students' proficiency in using Houdini, an industry-standard visual effects 3D software application. Through this program, students gain an understanding of the visual effects production pipeline and develop the ability to create dynamic effects such as particle systems, Pyro, Smoke, Destruction, Fluids, and Collisions.

Objectives:

• Enhance employability and professional capacity in visual effects and dynamics.
• Expand skillset with in-demand software applications for the digital entertainment industry.
• Differentiate oneself as a visual effects artist.

Program Description:

This Statement of Completion is designed for professionals seeking to add visual effects and dynamics expertise to their skillset, as well as graduates of programs like BCIT's 3D Modeling, Art and Animation Diploma and the Technical Arts Advanced Diploma. The program consists of three successive courses that progressively develop students' skills and mastery of Houdini. Courses are delivered on-campus and online, providing flexibility for learners.

Outline:

Course 1: Houdini Essentials

• Introduction to Houdini, an industry-standard visual effects application.
• Development of skills in 3D environment navigation and manipulation.
• Coverage of node-based workflow, user interface, geometry manipulation, 3D modeling and animation, and surface and dynamic operators.
• Creation and import of geometry, application of materials, manipulation of UVs.
• Practice of modeling, animation, basic automation, dynamics, lighting, and rendering.

Course 2: Houdini for Visual Effects and Dynamics

• Exploration of visual effects creation using Houdini, including particles, fire and smoke, fluids, and rigid bodies.
• Understanding of particle operators and physics elements, with a focus on industry-standard workflow.
• Utilization of forces (gravity, drag, wind) to create particle effects.
• Examination of rigid body dynamics, collisions, and interactions between 3D objects and dynamic elements.
• Creation of a scene involving effects like fire, rain, smoke, and object destruction.

Course 3: Advanced Houdini

• Exploration of advanced techniques and methodologies for procedural modeling in Houdini.
• Creation of effects such as hair and fur, fluid, destruction, and scripting using Houdini surface and dynamic operators.
• Experimentation with procedural modeling techniques to create 3D environments like cities or forests.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Visual effects artist
• 3D animator
• VFX supervisor
• Compositor
• Motion graphics artist