UE5 Sci-Fi VFX Series – Part 3 – Energy Shield & Grenade VFX by Jesse Henning

Welcome to the epic conclusion – Part 3 of our UE5 Sci-Fi VFX Series for Game Production. Brace yourself for an exhilarating journey as we delve into advanced material work, focusing on the creation of an Energy Shield and exploring sophisticated methods for prototyping VFX in our Blueprints and Niagara Systems.

Our first mission is to create a cutting-edge sci-fi energy shield and seamlessly integrate it with our automated Turret VFX. The spotlight will be on intricate material creation, featuring detailed animated masks and a modular-based structure for swift iteration. This approach strikes a delicate balance between art direction and gameplay requirements. In our Blueprints, we’ll weave spawn logic from our Player Character, establish collision parameters, and animate the shield’s activation and deactivation through timelines. Every VFX for our turrets will be meticulously connected to ensure a thorough test of our shield against enemies.

In the grand finale, we’ll unveil the creation of a highly satisfying Pulse Grenade. Utilizing assets from Part 2 of the course (Laser Beam and Plasma Blaster VFX), we’ll weave a captivating narrative. While you can still follow along if you missed Part 2, creating your assets is encouraged to enhance your experience. Our Blueprints will shine as we dynamically manipulate strike points for lightning arcs, exposing parameters in our Niagara Systems. Preliminary tests will ensure the flawless functionality of our beams.

As we add more detail to our lightning arcs in the Niagara systems, dynamic shapes and animations will breathe life into them. The bonus section will delve into additional material logic, ensuring consistent emissive values for our beams across varying distances.

By the journey’s end in Part 3, not only will you boast some impressive portfolio pieces, but you’ll also wield a deeper understanding of creating and prototyping various VFX. This mastery comes from harnessing the formidable power of Unreal Materials, Blueprints, and Niagara Systems.

Embark on this final chapter, and let the crafting commence!