[digital] Visual Effects and Compositing

Chapter Twelve. Advanced VFX Techniques III: Particle Systems, Dynamics, and Simulation VFX

Animating one realistic effect at a time can be a challenge, but what happens when you have to animate hundreds or even thousands? When your job is to animate millions of raindrops, snowflakes, or charging warriors, it’s time to forget hand animation and start thinking about particle systems, dynamics, and simulations.

To many beginning VFX artists, the mere mention of the terms particle systems, dynamics, or simulations results in an instant look of bewilderment and panic. But broken down into their basics and explained piece by piece (as I’m about to ...