VFX 728 / Spring 2026 / Fowler

Exercise 2 – Particle Disintegration

Date Assigned:	Class 3
Date Due:	Class 6
Final Due:	Class 7

Checklist

☐ .hipnc
☐ .jpg beauty render (still)
☐ .mp4 animation
☐ .pdf breakdown

Goals

This assignment will focus on the student using particle dynamics in Houdini. The goal is to become familiar with particle systems and demonstrate clear control over particle behavior.

You will create a disintegration effect as covered in class. Instructions are also available on the course website. Two methods are advised: attribute transfer or particle source spread.

Requirements

Research reference material and choose a model to disintegrate.
The disintegration must be rendered and presented in a polished manner.
A demo reel quality render is expected.

These are the minimum requirements.

Considerations

We will be using particles throughout this quarter. If you have an idea that combines with a later exercise, please propose it for approval of combining exercises.

Submission Guidelines

Submit a directory named:

S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname/

S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname/
├── S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.hipnc
├── S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.pdf
├── S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.jpg
└── S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.mp4

This directory must contain:

S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.hipnc
S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.pdf — breakdown (detailed if your approach differs from the methods given in class).
S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.jpg — beauty shot.
Note: always render to EXR; convert to JPG/PNG using mplay, Photoshop, or IrfanView.
S26_V728_E2_LastnameFirstname.mp4 — approximately 10 seconds of animation, high-quality H.264 compression, 1920 × 1080 for the final version only. Any file > 1 GB will not be accepted. Use Handbrake (free, Windows) with H264x codec.

No spaces in filenames! Adherence to naming and format conventions constitutes 5% of your grade.
Failure to comply with naming conventions will also affect your professionalism grade.

Grading (out of 10)

Proper use of particle dynamics and demo reel quality results are the emphasis.

What Professor Fowler is looking for:

Have you demonstrated clear, intentional control over particle behavior?
Is the disintegration effect rendered to a polished, demo reel standard?
Is your breakdown PDF clear and appropriately detailed?

Pushing further:

Go beyond the given methods — demonstrate exploration and understanding.
Exceptional look development (lighting, texturing, rendering).
A less complex setup that is properly executed is better than one that is too complicated and not completed.

Minimum requirements met:	8 / 10
+ Properly submitted:	8.5 / 10
+ Exploration, understanding, excellent look development:	9–10 / 10