Beginner's Guide to VFX
Instructor: Jason Keyser, Sandra Femenía, David Hall
Included with VFX-A All Access
Start your visual effects journey and learn all about the world of game development and stylized real-time VFX. This FREE course will introduce you to the various departments, game styles, tools, and systems used to make effects for games.
3+ Hours
This course includes three and a half hours of VFX training.
Skill Level
Beginner Level Zero course for everyone. No experience required.
Videos & Downloads
This course includes overview training videos and downloadable assets.
Instant Access
This course is immediately available to All Access members.
Course Breakdown
Lesson overview.
Introduction to VFX
Go from Zero to Hero! This is your starting point on your journey toward a career of sparkles, elements, and VFX explosions!
Game Dev Departments
Have you ever wondered how game development works? This video will give you the perfect introduction to the many departments of a AAA studio!
VFX Roles and Positions
So you want to become a VFX artist in the game industry, but where do you start? What roles and positions are there in a studio, and what opportunities are there later on?
Style of Games
What are we referring to if we talk about the "style" of a game project? Why is it important to know what style you are working with?
Gameplay
Gameplay is king! You might have heard this phrase before... But what is "gameplay" and why is it so important to consider when making VFX?
Game Engines
What are real-time game engines? Why do we use them and what options do we have? What's the difference between Unreal Engine and Unity? There is a lot to uncover so let's get into one of the deepest aspects of game development!
Game Platforms
PC, Console, Mobile? Knowing which platform a game is being developed for brings a variety of different considerations and constraints. Learn what they are, and how to account for them!
Textures, Meshes, & Shaders
The building blocks of VFX - textures, meshes, and shaders! What are they? How do VFX artists use them to create stunning effects?
Particle Systems
Particle systems are the objects a VFX artist spends the most amount of time working on. They are the objects that combine all of the elements and bring our effects to life!
VFX Pipeline
Learn about all the steps an effect artist goes through before arriving at the final result. We refer to all of these steps together as the visual effects pipeline!
Next Steps to Learn VFX
You've completed the Beginner's Guide to VFX. Now what? Continue with more FREE training courses or unlock every course with VFX Apprentice All Access
What members say about VFX Apprentice
Bruno Cano
VFX-A All Access Member
Joining VFX Apprentice was, for sure, the best decision I've made in my early VFX career. The courses are great and the mentors and students are always trying to help. I just love being here!
Luke Mason
VFX Artist, Blizzard Entertainment
VFX Apprentice is always the first place I suggest to start in the world of real-time VFX. The quality and care are simply unmatched. The comprehensive lessons forever changed how I paint, whether it be for textures or concepts.
More FX Courses Like This
Take what you learn in this course and apply these skills to creating FX for games and animation.
Beginner Bootcamp
Course Length: 8 weeks
This introductory bootcamp provides a thorough guide to the amazing world of VFX. For 8 weeks you will dive deep into FX foundations, drawing, painting, particle systems and more!
VFX Foundations & Artistic Principles
3D VFX: Level One
A high-level introduction to the world of VFX for games. Learn how VFX are used to inform gameplay with their use of shape, color, value, and timing. Each a powerful tool for VFX artists to create stylized FX.
Intro to FX Concept Painting
2D FX: Level One
Dive into the world of FX concept painting. Get to know a variety of painting techniques as you learn to create fire, wisps, zaps, and goo.
