Reel FX 2023 Manuela Elena Cárdenas de la Miyar

Hello! In this reel I wanted to show some of my best works, most of them elaborated in the VFX and Compositing Master 2023 at Animun Creativity Advanced School and a personal project.

Below I would like to add details about the process.

I hope you enjoy them!

Flip simulation (00:07)

During the elaboration of this scene I focused on looking for the maximum realism of the fluid. I made multiple tests with different paths and layouts, as well as with materials and lights. I wanted to look for a unique effect.

One of the best details of this scene, and also quite subtle, was the creation of a bubble system inside the Flip simulation. The bubbles are advected by the fluid, so the movement is as natural as possible. It is an extra detail to add more depth to the effect.

Magic Particles (00:14)

To achieve this effect I made two simulations of driven particles. Later I added a third simulation inside the central figure to highlight its outline. 

Arrow Blood (00:18)

This scene has two flip simulations. The secondary simulation details the splash of blood on impact with the arrow. I also worked on the wetmap and added viscosity to make the blood as realistic as possible.

RBD sculpture (00:23)

In this simulation I worked on a controlled fracture.

Additionally I used the lighting and materials to achieve a dramatic image with a good contrast that goes in line with the chosen sculpture.

Blue deity (00:28) - Personal Project

In this personal project I wanted to work on the creation of a kind of blend between smoke and fog. The goal is to turn it into a resource for shots in which I would like to acquire a certain atmosphere.

I have controlled the density of the volume to hide and give importance to other areas of the geometry, I can also control the amount of volume noise, the rhythm of the movement and the complexity of the shapes.

This effect sets the basis for the creation of atmospheres in my future shots. Combined with the right lighting I can add a unique touch.

RBD Building (00:31)

This is the most complex effect I have worked on. It has two RBD simulations, one for heavy materials and the other for light materials, each with different breaks depending on the materials. It also has several Pyro simulations, explosions, debris and dust.

The pyro simulations are linked to the RBDs for consistency. The smoke also moves depending on the destruction of the building.

It also contains several elaborate HDAs to make the process more effective and for use in future effects.

It proved to be a real challenge but the final effect has the desired complexity and realism and is a very good learning project.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!