Maxon has released Redshift 2025.5, and honestly, it's about time! But let's not sugarcoat it; the hype around new features like USDZ file rendering and point cloud support in Blender feels like a desperate attempt to keep up with competitors. Why does every release come with the same old promises? Users are tired of half-baked updates that don't address the real issues plaguing GPU rendering. Instead of flashy features, how about focusing on stability and performance? It’s infuriating to see companies chase trends while neglecting the core functionalities that truly matter. Enough with the marketing gimmicks—deliver real improvements or don’t bother at all! #Maxon #Redshift2025 #GPURendering #Blender #Tech

In the vast expanse of creativity, I often find myself alone, surrounded by shadows of unfulfilled dreams. The vibrant colors of my imagination fade into a dull gray, as I watch my visions slip away like sand through my fingers. I had hoped to bring them to life with OctaneRender, to see them dance in the light, but here I am, caught in a cycle of despair and doubt. Each time I sit down to create, the weight of my solitude presses heavily on my chest. The render times stretch endlessly, echoing the silence in my heart. I yearn for connection, for a space where my ideas can soar, yet I feel trapped in a void, unable to reach the heights I once envisioned. The powerful capabilities of iRender promise to transform my work, but the thought of waiting, of watching others thrive while I remain stagnant, fills me with a profound sense of loss. I scroll through my feeds, witnessing the success of others, and I can’t help but wonder: why can’t I find that same spark? The affordable GPU rendering solutions offered by iRender seem like a lifeline, yet the doubt lingers like a shadow, whispering that I am not meant for this world of creativity. I see the beauty in others' work, and it crushes me to think that I may never experience that joy. Every failed attempt feels like a dagger, piercing through the fragile veil of hope I’ve woven for myself. I long to create, to render my dreams into reality, but the fear of inadequacy holds me back. What if I take the leap and still fall short? The thought paralyzes me, leaving me in an endless loop of hesitation. It’s as if the universe conspires to remind me of my solitude, of the walls I’ve built around my heart. Even with the promise of advanced technology and a supportive render farm, I find myself questioning if I am worthy of the journey. Each day, I wake up with the same yearning, the same ache for connection and creativity. Yet, the fear of failure looms larger than my desire to create. I write these words in the hope that someone, somewhere, will understand this pain—the ache of being an artist in a world that feels so vast and empty. I cling to the possibility that one day, I will find solace in my creations, that iRender might just be the bridge between my dreams and reality. Until then, I remain in this silence, battling the loneliness that creeps in like an unwelcome guest. #ArtistryInIsolation #LonelyCreativity #iRenderHope #OctaneRenderStruggles #SilentDreams

Is it just me, or does the phrase "Quick Tip: A Better Wet Shader" sound like the latest buzz from a trendy café, where the barista is more interested in his art than the coffee? I mean, who would have thought that the secret to stunning visuals in Blender would come down to a clearcoat? It’s almost as if John Mervin, that brave pioneer of pixelated perfection, stumbled upon the holy grail of rendering while driving—because, you know, multitasking is all the rage these days! Let's take a moment to appreciate the genius of recording tutorials while navigating rush hour traffic. Who needs a calm, focused environment when you could be dodging potholes and merging lanes? I can just picture it: "Okay, folks, today we're going to add a clearcoat to our wet shader... but first, let’s avoid this pedestrian!" Truly inspiring. But back to the world of wet shaders. Apparently, the key to mastering the art of sheen is just slapping on a clearcoat and calling it a day. Why bother with the complexities of light diffusion, texture mapping, or even the nuances of realism when you can just... coat it? It's like serving a gourmet meal and then drowning it in ketchup—truly a culinary masterpiece! And let’s not forget the vast potential here. If adding a clearcoat is revolutionary, imagine the untapped possibilities! Why not just throw in a sprinkle of fairy dust and call it a magical shader? Or better yet, how about a “drive-by” tutorial series that teaches us how to animate while on a rollercoaster? The future of Blender tutorials is bright—especially if you’re driving towards it at 80 mph! After all, who needs to focus on the intricacies of shader creation when we can all just slap on a clearcoat and hope for the best? The art of 3D rendering has clearly reached a new zenith. So, to all the aspiring Blender wizards out there, remember: clearcoat is your best friend, and traffic lights are merely suggestions. In conclusion, if you ever find yourself needing a quick fix in Blender, just remember—there’s nothing a good clearcoat can’t solve. Just don’t forget to keep your eyes on the road; after all, we wouldn’t want you to miss a tutorial while mastering the art of shaders on the go! #WetShader #BlenderTutorial #Clearcoat #3DRendering #DigitalArt

Barbara Betlejewska is a PR consultant and manager with extensive experience in architecture and real estate, currently involved with World Visualization Festival, a global event bringing together CGI and digital storytelling professionals for 3 days of presentations, workshops, and networking in Warsaw, Poland, this October. Over the last twenty years, visualization and 3D rendering have evolved from supporting tools to become central pillars of architectural storytelling, design development, and marketing across various industries. As digital technologies have advanced, the landscape of creative work has changed dramatically. Artists can now collaborate with clients worldwide without leaving their homes, and their careers can flourish without ever setting foot in a traditional studio. In this hyper-connected world, where access to knowledge, clients, and inspiration is just a click away, do we still need to gather in person? Do conferences, festivals and meetups in the CGI and architectural visualization world still carry weight? The People Behind the Pixels Professionals from the visualization industry exchanging ideas at WVF 2024. For a growing number of professionals — especially those in creative and tech-driven fields — remote work has become the norm. The shift to digital workflows, accelerated by the pandemic, has brought freedom and flexibility that many are reluctant to give up. It’s easier than ever to work for clients in distant cities or countries, to build a freelance career from a laptop, or to pursue the lifestyle of a digital nomad. On the surface, it is a broadening of horizons. But for many, the freedom of remote work comes with a cost: isolation. For visualization artists, the reality often means spending long hours alone, rarely interacting face-to-face with peers or collaborators. And while there are undeniable advantages to independent work, the lack of human connection can lead to creative stagnation, professional burnout, and a sense of detachment from the industry as a whole. Despite being a highly technical and often solitary craft, visualization and CGI thrive on the exchange of ideas, feedback and inspiration. The tools and techniques evolve rapidly, and staying relevant usually means learning not just from tutorials but from honest conversations with others who understand the nuances of the field. A Community in the Making Professionals from the visualization industry exchanging ideas at WVF 2024. That need for connection is what pushed Michał Nowak, a Polish visualizer and founder of Nowak Studio, to organize Poland’s first-ever architectural visualization meetup in 2017. With no background in event planning, he wasn’t sure where to begin, but he knew something was missing. The Polish Arch Viz scene lacked a shared space for meetings, discussions, and idea exchange. Michał wanted more than screen time; he wanted honest conversations, spontaneous collaboration and a chance to grow alongside others in the field. What began as a modest gathering quickly grew into something much bigger. That original meetup evolved into what is now the World Visualization Festival, an international event that welcomes artists from across Europe and beyond. “I didn’t expect our small gathering to grow into a global festival,” Michał says. “But I knew I wanted a connection. I believed that through sharing ideas and experiences, we could all grow professionally, creatively, and personally. And that we’d enjoy the journey more.” The response was overwhelming. Each year, more artists from across Poland and Europe join the event in Wrocław, located in south-western Poland. Michał also traveled to other festivals in countries like Portugal and Austria, where he observed the same thing: a spirit of openness, generosity, and shared curiosity. No matter the country or the maturity of the market, the needs were the same — people wanted to connect, learn and grow. And beyond the professional side, there was something else: joy. These events were simply fun. They were energizing. They gave people a reason to step away from their desks and remember why they love what they do. The Professional Benefits Hands-on learning at the AI-driven visualization workshop in Warsaw, October 2024. The professional benefits of attending industry events are well documented. These gatherings provide access to mentorship, collaboration and knowledge that can be challenging to find online. Festivals and industry meetups serve as platforms for emerging trends, new tools and fresh workflows — often before they hit the mainstream. They’re places where ideas collide, assumptions are challenged and growth happens. The range of topics covered at such events is broad, encompassing everything from portfolio reviews and in-depth discussions of particular rendering engines to discussions about pricing your work and building a sustainable business. At the 2024 edition of the World Visualization Festival, panels focused on scaling creative businesses and navigating industry rates drew some of the biggest crowds, proving that artists are hungry for both artistic and entrepreneurial insights. Being part of a creative community also shapes professional identity. It’s not just about finding clients — it’s about finding your place. In a field as fast-moving and competitive as Arch Viz, connection and conversation aren’t luxuries. They’re tools for survival. There’s also the matter of building your social capital. Online interactions can only go so far. Meeting someone in person builds relationships that stick. The coffee-break conversations, the spontaneous feedback — these are the moments that cement a community and have the power to spark future projects or long-lasting partnerships. This usually doesn’t happen in Zoom calls. And let’s not forget the symbolic power of events like industry awards, such as the Architizer’s Vision Awards or CGArchitect’s 3D Awards. These aren’t just celebrations of talent; they’re affirmations of the craft itself. They contribute to the growth and cohesion of the industry while helping to establish and promote best practices. These events clearly define the role and significance of CGI and visualization as a distinct profession, positioned at the intersection of architecture, marketing, and sales. They advocate for the field to be recognized on its own terms, not merely as a support service, but as an independent discipline. For its creators, they bring visibility, credit, and recognition — elements that inspire growth and fuel motivation to keep pushing the craft forward. Occasions like these remind us that what we do has actual value, impact and meaning. The Energy We Take Home The WVF 2024 afterparty provided a vibrant space for networking and celebration in Warsaw. Many artists describe the post-event glow: a renewed sense of purpose, a fresh jolt of energy, an eagerness to get back to work. Sometimes, new projects emerge, new clients appear, or long-dormant ideas finally gain momentum. These events aren’t just about learning — they’re about recharging. One of the most potent moments of last year’s WVF was a series of talks focused on mental health and creative well-being. Co-organized by Michał Nowak and the Polish Arch Viz studio ELEMENT, the festival addressed the emotional realities of the profession, including burnout, self-doubt, and the pressure to constantly produce. These conversations resonated deeply because they were real. Seeing that others face the same struggles — and come through them — is profoundly reassuring. Listening to someone share a business strategy that worked, or a failure they learned from, turns competition into camaraderie. Vulnerability becomes strength. Shared experiences become the foundation of resilience. Make a Statement. Show up! Top industry leaders shared insights during presentations at WVF 2024 In an era when nearly everything can be done online, showing up in person is a powerful statement. It says: I want more than just efficiency. I want connection, creativity and conversation. As the CGI and visualization industries continue to evolve, the need for human connection hasn’t disappeared — it’s grown stronger. Conferences, festivals and meetups, such as World Viz Fest, remain vital spaces for knowledge sharing, innovation and community building. They give us a chance to reset, reconnect and remember that we are part of something bigger than our screens. So, yes, despite the tools, the bandwidth, and the ever-faster workflows, we still need to meet in person. Not out of nostalgia, but out of necessity. Because, no matter how far technology takes us, creativity remains a human endeavor. Architizer’s Vision Awards are back! The global awards program honors the world’s best architectural concepts, ideas and imagery. Start your entry ahead of the Final Entry Deadline on July 11th.  The post Building an Architectural Visualization Community: The Case for Physical Gatherings appeared first on Journal. #building #architectural #visualization #community #case

IntroductionHello! My name is Denys. I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I'm currently based. I began my journey into 3D art in March 2022, teaching myself through online resources, starting, of course, with the iconic donut tutorial on YouTube. Since then, I've continued to grow my skills independently, and now I'm working toward a career in 3D generalism, with a particular interest in environment art.I originally got into Blender because SketchUp wasn't free, and I could not keep up with the subscriptions. While searching for alternatives, I came across Blender. That's when I realized I had installed it once years ago, but back then, the interface completely intimidated me, and I gave up on it. This time, though, I decided to stick with it – and I'm glad I did.I started out creating simple models. One of my first big projects was modeling the entire SpongeBob crew. That led to my first animation, and eventually, the first four episodes of a short animated series. As I grew more confident, I began participating in online 3D competitions, like cgandwe, where I focused on designing realistic environments. Those experiences have played a huge role in getting me to where I am today.Getting Started Before starting any scene, I always look for references. It might not be the most original approach, but it's what works best for me. One piece that inspired me was a beautiful artwork by Calder Moore. I bookmarked it as soon as I saw it back in 2023, and luckily, I finally found the time to bring it to life last month.BlockoutThe goal was to match the original camera angle and roughly model the main frame of the structures. It wasn't perfect, but modeling and placing the lower docks helped me get the perspective right. Then I moved on to modeling and positioning the major structures in the scene.I gave myself two weeks to complete this project. And as much as I enjoy modeling, I also enjoy not modeling, so I turned to asset kits and free models to help speed things up. I came across an awesome paid kit by Bigmediumsmall and instantly knew it would fit perfectly into my scene.I also downloaded a few models from Sketchfab, including a lamp, desk console, freighter controls, and a robotic arm, which I later took apart to add extra detail. Another incredibly helpful tool was the Random Flow add-on by BlenderGuppy, which made adding sci-fi elements much easier. Lastly, I pulled in some models from my older sci-fi and cyberpunk projects to round things out.Kitbashing Once I had the overall shape I was aiming for, I moved on to kitbashing to pack in as much detail as possible. There wasn't any strict method to the madness; I simply picked assets I liked, whether it was a set of pipes, vents, or even a random shape that just worked in the sci-fi context. I focused first on kitbashing the front structure, and used the Random Flow add-on to fill in areas where I didn't kitbash manually. Then I moved on to the other collections, following the same process.The freighter was the final piece of the puzzle, and I knew it was going to be a challenge. Part of me wanted to model it entirely from scratch, but the more practical side knew I could save a lot of time by sticking with my usual method. So I modeled the main shapes myself, then kitbashed the details to bring it to life. I also grabbed some crates from Sketchfab to fill out the scene.Texturing This part was easily my favorite, and there was no shortcut here. I had to meticulously create each material myself. Well, I did use PBR materials downloaded from CGAmbient as a base, but I spent a lot of time tweaking and editing them to get everything just right.Texturing has always been my favorite stage when building scenes like this. Many artists prefer external tools like Substance 3D Painter, but I've learned so much about procedural texturing, especially from RyanKingArt, that I couldn't let it go. It's such a flexible and rewarding approach, and I love pushing it as far as I can.I wanted most of the colors in the scene to be dark, but I did keep the original color of the pipes and the pillars, just to add a little bit of vibrance to the scene. I also wanted the overall texture to be very rough and grungy. One of the biggest helps in achieving this was using the Grunge Maps from Substance 3D Painter. I found a way to extract them into Blender, and it helped.A major tool during the texturing phase was Jsplacement, which I used to procedurally generate sci-fi grids and plates. This was the icing on the cake for adding intricate details. Whenever an area felt too flat, I applied bump maps with these grids and panels to bring the materials to life. For example, both the lamp pole and the entire black metal material feature these Jsplacement Maps.Lighting For this, I didn't do anything fancy. I knew the scene was in a high altitude, so I looked for HDRI with a cloudless sky, and I boosted the saturation up a little to give it that high altitude look.Post-Production The rendering phase was challenging since I was working on a low-end laptop. I couldn't render the entire scene all at once, so I broke it down by collections and rendered them as separate layers. Then, I composited the layers together in post-production. I'm not big on heavy post-work, so I kept it simple, mostly tweaking brightness and saturation on my phone. That's about it for the post-production process.Conclusion The entire project took me 10 days to complete, working at least four hours each day. Although I've expressed my love for texturing, my favorite part of this project was the detailing and kitbashing. I really enjoyed piecing all the small details together. The most challenging part was deciding which assets to use and where to place them. I had a lot of greebles to choose from, but I'm happy with the ones I selected; they felt like a perfect fit for the scene.I know kitbashing sometimes gets a negative reputation in the 3D community, but I found it incredibly relieving. Honestly, this project wouldn't have come together without it, so I fully embraced the process.I'm excited to keep making projects like this. The world of 3D art is truly an endless and vast realm, and I encourage every artist like me to keep exploring it, one project at a time.Denys Molokwu, 3D Artist #creating #highly #detailed #techinspired #scene

Unity Technical VFX ArtistNo Brakes GamesVilnius, Lithuania or Remote3 hours agoApplyWe are No Brakes Games, the creators of Human Fall Flat.We are looking for a Unity Technical VFX Artist to join our team to work on Human Fall Flat 2.FULL-TIME POSITION - Vilnius, Lithuania or RemoteRole Overview:As a Unity Technical Artist specializing in VFX and rendering, you will develop and optimize real-time visual effects, create advanced shaders and materials, and ensure a balance between visual fidelity and performance. You will solve complex technical challenges, optimizing effects for real-time execution while collaborating with artists, designers, and engineers to push Unity’s rendering capabilities to the next level.Responsibilities:Develop and optimize real-time VFX solutions that are both visually striking and performant.Create scalable shaders and materials for water, fog, atmospheric effects, and dynamic lighting.Debug and resolve VFX performance bottlenecks using Unity Profiler, RenderDoc, and other tools.Optimize particle systems, volumetric effects, and GPU simulations for multi-platform performance.Document best practices and educate the team on efficient asset and shader workflows.Collaborate with engineers to develop and implement custom rendering solutions.Stay updated on Unity’s latest advancements in rendering, HDRP, and the Visual Effect Graph.Requirements:2+ years of experience as a Technical Artist in game development, with a focus on Unity.Strong understanding of Unity’s rendering pipelineand shader development.Experience developing performance-conscious visual effects, including particle systems, volumetric lighting, and dynamic environmental effects.Proficiency in GPU/CPU optimization techniques, LODs for VFX.Hands-on experience with real-time lighting and atmospheric effects.Ability to debug and profile complex rendering issues effectively.Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.A flexible, R&D-driven mindset, able to iterate quickly in both prototyping and production environments.Nice-to-Have:Experience working on at least one released game project.Experience with Unity HDRP and SRP.Experience with multi-platform development.Knowledge of C#, Python, or C++ for extending Unity’s capabilities.Experience developing custom node-based tools or extending Unity’s Visual Effect Graph.Background in procedural animation, physics-based effects, or fluid simulations.Apply today by sending your Portfolio & CV to jobs@nobrakesgames.com Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply #unity #technical #vfx #artist #brakes

This article was originally published on GameDevDigest.comEnjoy!What was Radiant AI, anyway? - A ridiculously deep dive into Oblivion's controversial AI system and its legacyblog.paavo.meConsider The Horse Game - No I don’t think every dev should make a horse game. But I do think every developer should at least look at them, maybe even play one because, it is very important that you understand the importance of genre, fandom, and how visibility works. Even if you are not making a horse game, the lessons you can learn by looking at this sub genre are very similar to other genres, just not as blatantly clear as they are with horse games.howtomarketagame.comMaking a killing: The playful 2D terror of Psycasso® - I sat down with lead developer Benjamin Lavender and Omni, designer and producer, to talk about this playfully gory game that gives a classic retro style and a freshtwist.UnityIntroduction to Asset Manager transfer methods in Unity - Unity's Asset Manager is a user-friendly digital asset management platform supporting over 70 file formats to help teams centralize, organize, discover, and use assets seamlessly across projects. It reduces redundant work by design, making cross-team collaboration smoother and accelerating production workflows.UnityVideosRules of the Game: Five Tricks of Highly Effective Designers - Every working designer has them: unique techniques or "tricks" that they use when crafting gameplay. Sure, there's the general game design wisdom that everyone agrees on and can be found in many a game design book, but experienced game designers often have very specific rules that are personal to them, techniques that not everyone knows about or even agrees with. In this GDC 2015 session, five experienced game designers join the stage for 10 minutes each to share one game design "trick" that they use.Game Developers ConferenceBinding of Isaac Style Room Generator in Unity- Our third part in the series - making the rooms!Game Dev GarnetIntroduction to Unity Behavior | Unity Tutorial - In this video you'll become familiar with the core concepts of Unity Behavior, including a live example.LlamAcademyHow I got my demo ready for Steam Next Fest - It's Steam Next Fest, and I've got a game in the showcase. So here are 7 tips for making the most of this demo sharing festival.Game Maker's ToolkitOptimizing lighting in Projekt Z: Beyond Order - 314 Arts studio lead and founder Justin Miersch discuss how the team used the Screen Space Global Illumination feature in Unity’s High Definition Render Pipeline, along with the Unity Profiler and Timeline to overcome the lighting challenges they faced in building Projekt Z: Beyond Order.UnityMemory Arenas in Unity: Heap Allocation Without the GC - In this video, we explore how to build a custom memory arena in Unity using unsafe code and manual heap allocation. You’ll learn how to allocate raw memory for temporary graph-like structures—such as crafting trees or decision planners—without triggering the garbage collector. We’ll walk through the concept of stack frames, translate that to heap-based arena allocation, and implement a fast, disposable system that gives you full control over memory layout and lifetime. Perfect for performance-critical systems where GC spikes aren’t acceptable.git-amendCloth Animation Using The Compute Shader - In this video, we dive into cloth simulation using OpenGL compute shaders. By applying simple mathematical equations, we’ll achieve smooth, dynamic movement. We'll explore particle-based simulation, tackle synchronization challenges with double buffering, and optimize rendering using triangle strips for efficient memory usage. Whether you're familiar with compute shaders or just getting started, this is the perfect way to step up your real-time graphics skills!OGLDEVHow we're designing games for a broader audience - Our games are too hardBiteMe GamesAssetsLearn Game Dev - Unity, Godot, Unreal, Gamemaker, Blender & C# - Make games like a pro.Passionate about video games? Then start making your own! Our latest bundle will help you learn vital game development skills. Master the most popular creation platforms like Unity, Godot, Unreal, GameMaker, Blender, and C#—now that’s a sharp-lookin’ bundle! Build a 2.5D farming RPG with Unreal Engine, create a micro turn-based RPG in Godot, explore game optimization, and so much more.__Big Bang Unreal & Unity Asset Packs Bundle - 5000+ unrivaled assets in one bundle. Calling all game devs—build your worlds with this gigantic bundle of over 5000 assets, including realistic and stylized environments, SFX packs, and powerful tools. Perfect for hobbyists, beginners, and professional developers alike, you'll gain access to essential resources, tutorials, and beta-testing–ready content to start building immediately. The experts at Leartes Studios have curated an amazing library packed with value, featuring environments, VFX packs, and tutorial courses on Unreal Engine, Blender, Substance Painter, and ZBrush. Get the assets you need to bring your game to life—and help support One Tree Planted with your purchase! This bundle provides Unity Asset Store keys directly with your purchase, and FAB keys via redemption through Cosmos, if the product is available on those platforms.Humble Bundle AffiliateGameplay Tools 50% Off - Core systems, half the price. Get pro-grade tools to power your gameplay—combat, cutscenes, UI, and more. Including: HTrace: World Space Global Illumination, VFX Graph - Ultra Mega Pack - Vol.1, Magic Animation Blend, Utility Intelligence: Utility AI Framework for Unity 6, Build for iOS/macOS on Windows>?Unity AffiliateHi guys, I created a website about 6 years in which I host all my field recordings and foley sounds. All free to download and use CC0. There is currently 50+ packs with 1000's of sounds and hours of field recordings all perfect for game SFX and UI. - I think game designers can benefit from a wide range of sounds on the site, especially those that enhance immersion and atmosphere.signaturesounds.orgSmartAddresser - Automate Addressing, Labeling, and Version Control for Unity's Addressable Asset System.CyberAgentGameEntertainment Open SourceEasyCS - EasyCS is an easy-to-use and flexible framework for Unity, adopting a Data-Driven Entity & Actor-Component approach. It bridges Unity's classic OOP with powerful data-oriented patterns, without forcing a complete ECS paradigm shift or a mindset change. Build smarter, not harder.Watcher3056 Open SourceBinding-Of-Isaac_Map-Generator - Binding of Isaac map generator for Unity2DGarnetKane99 Open SourceHelion - A modern fast paced Doom FPS engineHelion-Engine Open SourcePixelationFx - Pixelation post effect for Unity UrpNullTale Open SourceExtreme Add-Ons Bundle For Blender & ZBrush - Extraordinary quality—Extreme add-ons Get quality add-ons for Blender and ZBrush with our latest bundle! We’ve teamed up with the pros at FlippedNormals to deliver a gigantic library of powerful tools for your next game development project. Add new life to your creative work with standout assets like Real-time Hair ZBrush Plugin, Physical Starlight and Atmosphere, Easy Mesh ZBrush Plugin, and more. Get the add-ons you need to bring color and individuality to your next project—and help support Extra Life with your purchase!Humble Bundle AffiliateShop up to 50% off Gabriel Aguiar Prod - Publisher Sale - Gabriel Aguiar Prod. is best known for his extensive VFX assets that help many developers prototype and ship games with special effects. His support and educational material are also invaluable resources for the game dev community. PLUS get VFX Graph - Stylized Fire - Vol. 1 for FREE with code GAP2025Unity AffiliateSpotlightDream Garden - Dream Garden is a simulation game about building tiny cute garden dioramas. A large selection of tools, plants, decorations and customization awaits you. Try all of them and create your dream garden.Campfire StudioMy game, Call Of Dookie. Demo available on SteamYou can subscribe to the free weekly newsletter on GameDevDigest.comThis post includes affiliate links; I may receive compensation if you purchase products or services from the different links provided in this article. #game #dev #digest #issue #design

IntroductionHi, my name is Pankaj Kholiya, and I am a Senior 3D Character Artist. I've been working in the game industry for the past 8 years. I worked on titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, That Christmas, Ghost of Tsushima Director's Cut, Star Wars: Outlaws, Alan Wake 2, Street Fighter 6, and many more. Currently, I'm working as a freelancer for the gaming and cinematics industry.Since my last interview, I made a few personal works, was a part of a Netflix movie, That Christmas, and worked with Platige on Star Wars: Outlaws and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 cinematic.The Breakdancing Clothing ProjectIt all started when I witnessed a dance battle that a friend organized. It was like watching Step Up live. There, I got the inspiration to create a break dancer. I started by gathering different references from the internet. I found one particular image on Pinterest and decided to recreate it in 3D.At first, the idea was to create the outfit in one pose, but along the way, I also decided to create a dancing version of the character and explore Unreal Engine. Here is the ref I used for the dancing version:Getting StartedFor the upcoming talents, I'll try to describe my process in a few points. Even before starting Marvelous Designer, I made sure to have my base character ready for animation and simulation. This time, I decided to use the MetaHuman creator for the base due to its high-quality textures and materials. My primary focus was on the clothing, so using MetaHuman saved a lot of time.After I was satisfied with how my MetaHuman looked, I took it to Mixamo to get some animations. I was really impressed by how good the animations worked on the MetaHuman. Once I had the animations, I took the animation into Marvelous Designer and simulated the clothes.For the posed character, I adjusted the rig to match the pose like the reference and used the same method as in this tutorial to pose the character:ClothingFor this particular project, I didn't focus on the topology as it was just for a single render. I just packed the UVs in Marvelous Designer, exported the quad mesh from Marvelous Designer, subdivided it a few times, and started working on the detailing part in ZBrush.For the texture, I used the low-division mesh from the ZBrush file, as I already had the UVs on it. I then baked the normal and other maps on it and took it to Substance 3D Painter.AnimationThere are multiple ways to animate the metahuman character. For this project, I've used Mixamo. I imported my character into Mixamo, selected the animation I liked, and exported it. After that, I just imported it to Marvelous Designer and hit the simulation button. You can check my previous breakdown for the Mixamo pipeline.Once happy with the result, I exported the simulated cloth as an Alembic to Unreal Engine. Tutorial for importing clothes into Unreal Engine:Lighting & RenderingThe main target was to match the lighting closely to the reference. This was my first project in Unreal Engine, so I wanted to explore the lighting and see how far I could go with it. Being new to the Unreal Engine, I went through a lot of tutorials. Here are the lights I've used for the posed version:For the dancing version, I've created a stage like the ref from the Step Up movie: Some tips I found useful for the rendering are in the video below:ConclusionAt first, I had a clear direction for this project and was confident in my skills to tackle the art aspect of it. But things changed when I dived into Unreal Engine for my presentation. More than half the time on this project went into learning and getting used to Unreal Engine. I don't regret a single second I invested in Unreal, as it was a new experience. It took around 15 days to wrap this one up.The lesson I learned is that upgrading your knowledge and learning new things will help you grow as an artist in the long run. Approaching how you make an artwork has changed a lot ever since I started 3D, and adapting to the changing art environment is a good thing. Here are some recommendations if you are interested in learning Unreal Engine.Pankaj Kholiya, Senior 3D Character ArtistInterview conducted by Amber Rutherford #how #create #ampamp #animate #breakdanceinspired

VFX ArtistNo Brakes GamesVilnius, Lithuania or Remote2 hours agoApplyWe are No Brakes Games, the creators of Human Fall Flat.We are now looking for an VFX Artist to join our team to work on Human Fall Flat 2.FULL-TIME POSITIONRole Overview:As a VFX Artist, you will develop and optimize real-time visual effects and ensure a balance between visual fidelity and performance.Responsibilities:Develop and optimize real-time VFX solutions that are both visually striking and performant.Debug and resolve VFX performance bottlenecks using Unity Profiler, RenderDoc, and other tools.Optimize particle systems, volumetric effects, and GPU simulations for multi-platform performance.Stay updated on Unity’s latest advancements in rendering, HDRP, and the Visual Effect Graph.Requirements:2+ years of experience as a VFX Artist in game development, with a focus on Unity.Experience developing performance-conscious visual effects, including particle systems, volumetric lighting, and dynamic environmental effects.Proficiency in GPU/CPU optimization techniques, LODs for VFX.Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.A flexible, R&D-driven mindset, able to iterate quickly in both prototyping and production environments.Nice-to-Have:Experience working on at least one released game project.Experience with Unity HDRP and SRP.Experience with multi-platform development.Experience developing custom node-based tools or extending Unity’s Visual Effect Graph.Background in procedural animation, physics-based effects, or fluid simulations.Apply today by sending your Portfolio & CV to jobs@nobrakesgames.com Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply #vfx #artist #brakes #games