Houdini & EmberGen
for Game VFX
Coming Soon - Join the Waitlist
Build portfolio-level effects using Houdini, EmberGen, and LiquiGen simulations with this realtime VFX simulation course
Become a Procedural VFX artist in 8 weeks of training: create stunning fire, smoke, splashes, and groundbreaking simulations, and harness industry-leading software with the guidance of seasoned professionals.
Course Length: 8 weeks
Mentor: Diana Simonyan
Next Start Date: August 13th, 2026
$1400 | Pricing options available
Less than $175 per week of live advanced mentorship.
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8-Week Realtime VFX Simulation Course
A perfect starter pack for aspiring semi-realistic VFX Artists: dedicate the next 8 weeks to getting started with EmberGen, Houdini, and LiquiGen. Create explosion flipbooks, simulate ground shatter, and dive deep into the liquid simulations.
Learn to use Vertex Animation Textures, implement the six-point lighting technique and motion vectors in Unreal, and bring everything together in the sequencer!
Houdini & EmberGen for Game VFX: Full Curriculum Breakdown
Week 1 - Embers & Explosions
Use EmberGen for game VFX: set up and tweak the simulations to create fire, smoke, and explosion flipbooks.
Week 2 - Groundbreaking Discovery
Tackle RBD simulation and shatter the earth: use Houdini for game VFX to create a groundbreaking effect.
Week 3 - An Unreal Explosion
Implement EmberGen flipbooks inside Niagara emitters and apply a variety of widely used shader tricks, such as Parallax Occlusion.
Week 4 - A Sequence of Events
Assemble the assets from previous weeks into a gorgeous explosion. Polish your effect to finalize it for the showcase.
Week 5 - Testing the Waters
Get to know the basics of LiquiGen, then set up and transform your simulation into Vertex Animation Textures (VAT).
Week 6 - The Math of Smoke & Light
Learn and apply the theory behind 6-point lighting and motion vectors, then set up their unique shaders in Unreal.
Week 7 - Charge, Cast, Burst!
Use every asset created during the previous weeks to assemble each stage of your final ink splash in Unreal 5.
Week 8 - The "Toxic" Side of VFX
Bring everything into the Unreal sequencer for the grand finale, and create an elemental variation of your effect.
We give you tools, you do the magic!
Get direct feedback from experienced mentors and access a comprehensive library of FX learning resources.
What you walk away with
- Two portfolio-ready VFX with elemental variations
- Art-directed paintover documentation
- Direct feedback from senior-level artists
- Weekly assignments and critique
- Production-ready materials & textures
What you unlock after joining
- 8 Weeks long Houdini & EmberGen licences
- Bi-weekly live sessions and direct mentorship
- 1 year access to all curriculum materials
- 3 months of VFX-A All Access FX courses
Your Mentors
FAQs
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What You Get in This Real-Time VFX Simulation Course
- Learn EmberGen for game VFX, creating real-time simulations
- Create optimized flipbooks for the best performance
- Discover destruction workflows with Houdini for game VFX
- Implement Vertex Animation Textures in a real-time environment
- Apply 6-point lighting and motion vector techniques
- Follow a complete workflow from Houdini to Unreal Engine 5
- Multiple portfolio-ready real-time VFX projects for games
Testimonials
Kevin Leroy
VFX Artist - Riot Games
I truly wish this website existed when I first started VFX. It's chock-full of industry-defining resources and tutorials covering a vast diversity of subjects. And maybe even more importantly: it covers different engines and softwares. From concepting to in-engine implementations, these courses have it all, and it is all of the highest quality.
Tyson Murphy
Art Director - Riot Games
Jason is one of the only people I've met throughout my entire career that has world class artistic talent in the craft of VFX, and also has the kindness, wisdom, and dedication of a great teacher. Jason is an incredible value to any of the world's top studios, and I've personally seen him change the lives of aspiring artists and students everywhere. He is passionate about his educational work, and it is truly the best I've seen. Anyone who wishes they were a VFX artist needs to get in touch with Jason and VFX Apprentice.
Drew Skillman
Founder - Tilt Brush
I've had first hand experience learning from, and being inspired by, Jason Keyser. He's an exceptional artist, a leader in the Real Time VFX industry, and a phenomenal teacher who deeply, deeply cares about sharing the elusive techniques behind best in class VFX and helping people realize their creative dreams. Jason is the real deal - I learn from him every chance I get.
Fred Hooper
Lead VFX Artist - NVIDIA
Jason Keyser's VFX Apprentice is THE go-to place to learn real time visual effects. Jason will teach you how to make effects from the ground up from an artistic and technical perspective. The VFX Apprentice courses will start you on the path to becoming a real time VFX artist.
Bill Kladis
Director, Technical Art at Epic Games
When it comes to preaching the art & soul behind real-time FX, Jason is truly the most dedicated of anyone I know. Good FX artists of today and tomorrow must balance so many different artistic & technical disciplines. These courses are a must-have for anyone wanting to break into real-time FX.
Join the next realtime VFX simulation course
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