Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Learn how to create a cinematic desert scene complete with sand & vehicle interactions using this complex yet rewarding Houdini simulation: thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/cinematic-sand-dust-simulations-using-houdini
CREATING A DESERT CAR SCENE
Discover how to create a cinematic desert scene with sand and vehicle interactions. This complex yet rewarding simulation is demonstrated using Houdini Indie by Senior FX Artist Alvaro Segura.
This 3-hour workshop begins by delving into the use of Vellum grains and combining them with Pyro simulations to create a variety of sand textures, ranging from fine, dust-like particles to denser clumped sand. Alvaro details the crucial attributes of both Vellum and Pyro, empowering artists with the confidence to tweak these parameters for the desired effects in their own sand simulations.
Alvaro demonstrates techniques for creating clumped textures and achieving a granular, detailed look while also discussing the behavior of fine, realistic dust. Additionally, artists will learn how to optimize collisions and design custom velocity fields for enhanced simulation realism. Alvaro also walks through how to set up multiple containers and leverage TOP networks for wedging to facilitate heavy simulations and segment them into separate containers for an efficient yet powerful mix. In the final leg of the workshop, Alvaro details how to combine these containers back into a single volume as velocity and density VDBs for lighter, optimized volume handling.
By completing this workshop, artists will have practical workflows and the technical expertise to elevate their sand simulations to a professional standard.
This workshop utilizes an SUV car model from Turbosquid.
CHAPTERS:
— Introduction
— The Relevance of Reference: Evaluating Your Needs
— Quick Setups & Finding Relevant Attributes in Vellum Grains
— Quick Setups & Finding Relevant Attributes in Pyro Sims
— Preparing Source Geometries for FX Setup
— Procedural Extraction of Areas for Simulation
— Optimize Collision for Each Part Involved
— Create Vellum Grain Setup for Shot & Organizing DOP Net Elements
— Build up Your Setup & Create Custom Attraction Weight Values
— Vellum Constraints for Optimal Control on Clumps & Granular Look
— About Crazy Particle Behavior
— Pyro Implementation for Thinner Dust
— Multiple Container Setup & Wedging
— Turn Collisions into a Velocity Field Source
— Setting up TOP Net for Wedging Containers
— Rendering Overview & Final Thoughts
For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials.
Learn how to create a cinematic desert scene complete with sand & vehicle interactions using this complex yet rewarding Houdini simulation: thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials/cinematic-sand-dust-simulations-using-houdini
CREATING A DESERT CAR SCENE
Discover how to create a cinematic desert scene with sand and vehicle interactions. This complex yet rewarding simulation is demonstrated using Houdini Indie by Senior FX Artist Alvaro Segura.
This 3-hour workshop begins by delving into the use of Vellum grains and combining them with Pyro simulations to create a variety of sand textures, ranging from fine, dust-like particles to denser clumped sand. Alvaro details the crucial attributes of both Vellum and Pyro, empowering artists with the confidence to tweak these parameters for the desired effects in their own sand simulations.
Alvaro demonstrates techniques for creating clumped textures and achieving a granular, detailed look while also discussing the behavior of fine, realistic dust. Additionally, artists will learn how to optimize collisions and design custom velocity fields for enhanced simulation realism. Alvaro also walks through how to set up multiple containers and leverage TOP networks for wedging to facilitate heavy simulations and segment them into separate containers for an efficient yet powerful mix. In the final leg of the workshop, Alvaro details how to combine these containers back into a single volume as velocity and density VDBs for lighter, optimized volume handling.
By completing this workshop, artists will have practical workflows and the technical expertise to elevate their sand simulations to a professional standard.
This workshop utilizes an SUV car model from Turbosquid.
CHAPTERS:
— Introduction
— The Relevance of Reference: Evaluating Your Needs
— Quick Setups & Finding Relevant Attributes in Vellum Grains
— Quick Setups & Finding Relevant Attributes in Pyro Sims
— Preparing Source Geometries for FX Setup
— Procedural Extraction of Areas for Simulation
— Optimize Collision for Each Part Involved
— Create Vellum Grain Setup for Shot & Organizing DOP Net Elements
— Build up Your Setup & Create Custom Attraction Weight Values
— Vellum Constraints for Optimal Control on Clumps & Granular Look
— About Crazy Particle Behavior
— Pyro Implementation for Thinner Dust
— Multiple Container Setup & Wedging
— Turn Collisions into a Velocity Field Source
— Setting up TOP Net for Wedging Containers
— Rendering Overview & Final Thoughts
For more workshops by industry professionals that will help you take your creative skills to the next level using industry-trusted software, check out our complete video tutorial library at thegnomonworkshop.com/tutorials.
