The main objective of this project is to enhance my skills in lighting and rendering. In my recent research on the VFX industry and its various roles, I have developed a fascination for the position of lighting artist. I didn’t have many chances to explore this subject before, so the personal task provided an opportunity for me to delve deeper into it. The skills acquired from it are also applicable to CG Generalists, Matte Painters and 3D Modellers.
As a CG Generalist working on the group assignment, I am limited to using only Maya. Therefore, in my project, I want to prioritize the use of other programs like Katana, Unreal Engine 5, and Nuke. I’ve decided to primarily use Nuke and UE5 now that the UnrealReader node connects them. To save time and focus on lighting, I’ll be getting high-quality assets directly from Quixel/Megascans, which are free to use in Unreal Engine.
While preparing for this project, I took a closer look at the requirements for hiring a Lighting Artist. I realized that even though UE5 is not commonly used in compositing, it is an essential tool in the gaming industry. Therefore, I decided to learn how to use it, as it will only benefit me in the long run. Additionally, I plan to do some tutorials on the side to improve my skills in using Katana and Houdini.
As this is my first experience using UE5 for a lighting study, my main priority is to familiarize myself with the software and generate a high-quality scene within the engine. I am particularly interested in artistic lighting and weather simulation. If I will have enough time, I plan to integrate minor visual effects from Houdini or Maya and merge them in Nuke. By structuring this personal project in a certain way, I hope to be able to continue building on it even after I finish my studies.
Personal Project Proposal:
References:
Arvid Schneider (2020) How to Create Cinematic Lighting in Maya. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFh5pjZCBvw (Accessed: 14 April 2023).
Boundlesss Entertainment (2022) Unreal Engine for Filmmakers – How to Make your Lighting CINEMATIC. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMCTeoj9YaA (Accessed: 18 April 2023).
Design with Dan (2023) Cinematic Lighting in 6 steps UE5 Beginner tutorial EP2 | DesignwithDan. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VayfhM8eOU8 (Accessed: 17 April 2023).
Ludwig, L. (2022) Lighting Demo Reel – Laura Ludwig. Available at: https://www.therookies.co/entries/14773 (Accessed: 14 April 2023).
William Faucher (2022) Capturing Lofoten in Unreal Engine 5. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifryjffUJT8 (Accessed: 16 April 2023).
William Faucher (2022) Lighting in Unreal Engine 5 for Beginners . Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSbBsXbjxPo (Accessed: 18 April 2023).
Zavhorodnia, V. (2021) Lighting study | Part I. Available at: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/EL0VWN (Accessed: 14 April 2023).