Creating a Sci-Fi Sequence using Houdini Solaris

Description

Elevate your Houdini Solaris and USD skills in this comprehensive workshop taught by Lead Lighting Artist Andreas Kjær-Jensen. Perfect for lighting artists and generalists getting started with Solaris, this workshop takes you through the entire process of creating a production-quality sci-fi sequence in Solaris.

Houdini’s Solaris is quickly becoming the industry standard for lighting in Visual Effects. Over the course of 6 hours, Andreas will guide you through creating an action-packed VFX sequence in Houdini. Artists will not only learn how to use Solaris but also gain an understanding of the underlying structure of USD and its application in real-world VFX productions today.

Andreas begins with a thorough introduction to Solaris and USD as a whole, then uses the same techniques and workflows to develop a fully fledged sequence, including shading, layout, cinematic lighting, and pipeline. By completing this workshop, artists will have learned a complete workflow for making their own sequences within Solaris.

Project files, including assets, renders, and textures, are included so subscribers can follow along step-by-step while Andreas builds the scene. You’ll walk away with advanced skills in Solaris, confidence in leveraging USD for VFX production, and a deeper understanding of industry-standard USD and Solaris workflows.

Assets used in this workshop include Action VFX’s Aerial Explosions 3D Assets pack, as well as KitBash3D’s Future Warfare Kit and Spaceships Legacy Kit.

Duration: 6h 7m

Format: HD 1920x1080

Chapter List

Subscribe for Project Files

Software Used

IMAGE GALLERY

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Andreas Kjær-Jensen

Lead Lighting Artist at Ghost VFX Copenhagen

Andreas Kjær-Jensen is a Lead Lighting Artist at Ghost VFX whose credits include Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Slumberland, and For All Mankind. A versatile lighter & generalist, Andreas has worked across many disciplines throughout his career, contributing to high-profile Film and TV productions as well as VFX tool development.

In recent years, Andreas has specialized in Houdini, focusing on Solaris and USD workflows, which he utilizes daily to lead and deliver cutting-edge VFX for Film and TV. He loves to teach and mentor, and share his Houdini workflows and tools with other artists.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Andreas Kjær Jensen on several high-profile projects at Ghost. He has a remarkable ability to make even the most complex tasks seem effortless. Andreas possesses a rare combination of deep technical expertise in VFX and exceptional creative artistry. As a lead artist, he works with Solaris daily, and he’s also instrumental in designing tools and workflows for Solaris within our internal pipeline. On top of his impressive technical and creative skills, Andreas is incredibly helpful and approachable, making him the ideal person to lead this workshop.
- Martin Gårdeler
Co-Founder & VFX Supervisor at Ghost VFX Copenhagen
Andreas is a great person and artist, he loves challenges and works hard to improve and expand his skills. Beyond his knowledge, he also has a great mindset to tackle any issue with a focus on finding friendly outcomes!
- Marvin Chrastek
Lead Lighting Artist, Ghost VFX Copenhagen