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Animation & VFX · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

VFX Animation

This technical course focuses on the art of simulation and dynamics. Moving beyond keyframe animation, students will learn to control the forces of nature within a 3D environment. The curriculum covers particle systems, rigid body destruction, fluid dynamics (water/fire), and cloth simulation, using industry-standard tools like Houdini or Maya to create believable physical phenomena for film and games.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master the physics of 3D simulation: Gravity, Friction, and Velocity
  2. Create complex Particle Systems for rain, dust, and magic effects
  3. Execute Rigid Body Dynamics (RBD) for destruction and crumbling structures
  4. Simulate fluid properties for photorealistic fire, smoke, and water (Pyro/FLIP)
  5. Integrate simulation elements with live-action footage (Compositing)
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Introduction to Dynamics & Proceduralism
  2. 02Particle Systems I: Emitters & Forces
  3. 03Particle Systems II: Collision & Events
  4. 04Rigid Body Dynamics (RBD): Fracturing
  5. 05Constraints: Glue, Spring, & Pin
  6. 06Destruction FX: Voronoi Fracture
  7. 07Introduction to Volumes & Voxels
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Pyro Simulation: Fire & Explosions
  10. 10Fluid Simulation (FLIP): Water & Splash
  11. 11Soft Body Dynamics (Vellum/nCloth)
  12. 12Cloth & Fabric Simulation
  13. 13Hair & Fur Dynamics
  14. 14Crowd Simulation Basics
  15. 15Real-Time VFX for Games (Niagara/Unity)
  16. 16Final Project: The Disaster Scene

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Disaster Scene

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The Art of Fluid Animation by Jos Stam
  2. Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation by Joseph Gilland
  3. Houdini Foundations (SideFX Documentation)
  4. Physics for Game Developers by David M. Bourg
  5. The Visual Effects Producer by Charles Finance
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