Destruction VFX Techniques with Houdini and Unreal | NetherRealm Studios | EPC 2025 HIVE

The focus of this master class will be to demonstrate several techniques for fracturing geometry within Houdini and Unreal and using those fractured assets inside Unreal for real-time destruction. The class with be divided into three different approaches for creating this destruction, using Houdini fractured assets with Niagara Systems and Point Caches, using Houdini fractured assets with Chaos simulations and finally fracturing and simulating with Chaos tools in Unreal while triggering Niagara Systems to spawn dust and debris. Takeways | Attendees will learn several novel approaches for using fractured geometry from Houdini while controlling the dynamics inside of Unreal Engine. Simulating pre-fractured assets inside Unreal Engine with Niagara particles along with passing data from Chaos simulations to Niagara systems to emit dust and debris will all be explained. Chris Chapman is Lead VFX Artist supervising the VFX team at NetherRealm Studios, his latest completed project, MK1, was nominated for a VES for outstanding VFX in a real-time project in 2024. He has been creating VFX for over twenty years in both the film and game industry. He began his VFX career, after an internship at SideFX, working at Digital Domain and Rhythm & Hues studios where he created VFX with Houdini on a wide variety of live-action feature films, including The Day After Tomorrow, Chronicles of Narnia, Night at the Museum, and The Golden Compass, amongst others. He moved over to CG feature animated films creating VFX while at BlueSky Studios including the films Ice Age and Rio franchises, The Peanuts Movie, Epic, Ferdinand, and Spies in Disguise. In addition to overseeing the VFX team at NetherRealm, he occasionally finds opportunities to teach VFX at the college level and enjoys exploring the creative image-making process using procedural workflows with Houdini and Unreal. 00:00 Background and Introduction 03:42 Transition to Effects Work 07:25 Importance of Experimentation 11:07 Learning Houdini’s Tools 14:50 Collaboration and Problem Solving 18:33 Studio Dynamics and Feedback 22:16 Tips for New Artists 25:58 Career Development Journey 29:41 Notable Projects Discussed 33:23 Wrap-Up and Encouragement