hi guys in this video i will show you how to make 3d lighting in unreal engine Niagara. this effect is mainly achieved by material, Niagara system just used for random size and rotation ofrlightning.
Asif Ali introduces the creation of a 3D lightning effect in Unreal Engine using Niagara.
The effect features random, unique mesh distortions to simulate lightning, with custom mesh options.
Key Concept – Material Over Particles:
The video focuses more on the material creation aspect, rather than particle behavior.
It uses a combination of random mesh, dynamic parameters, and noise textures to create the 3D lightning effect.
The effect includes random movements of the lightning meshes, with variations in power, speed, and direction.
Steps Covered:
Particle System Setup:
A single particle system with four emitters.
Each emitter uses random values for size, life, and rotation.
All emitters share the same mesh but differ in size (small, medium, large) for variation.
Mesh and Material Details:
The tutorial uses a half-torus shape as the lightning mesh.
A simple material is created and assigned to the mesh, with parameters like speed, power, and direction added for control.
Creating Dynamic Parameters:
Dynamic parameters like power, speed, direction, edge, and rotation are used.
These values are linked to particle systems, allowing for real-time randomization.
Noise Texture and Movement:
A noise texture is used to simulate lightning distortion.
The material uses tiling and rotation for random lightning movements.
Direction is controlled using RGB values to manipulate movement along X, Y, or Z axes.
Gradient and Edge Control:
A gradient is applied to restrict movement at certain areas of the mesh.
The gradient determines which areas of the mesh distort and how much movement occurs.
Parameters Overview:
Power: Controls the intensity of the lightning effect (randomized between 100-500).
Speed: Controls how fast the lightning moves (random values between 0.2 and 1).
Time: Controls the randomness of the lightning’s duration (between 0.5 to 2).
Direction: Randomizes the direction of lightning distortions.
Edge: Controls how sharp or smooth the lightning’s distortion is.
Point Light Setup:
A point light is added to simulate the flicker of lightning.
A light function is applied to the point light, using the same random texture material for a flickering effect.
Final Tweaks and Adjustments:
The material instance is updated with the parameters, allowing for further customization.
The effect is random, with particles spawning at different times and at random locations.
Conclusion:
Asif Ali wraps up by showing the final effect, emphasizing the simplicity and versatility of this 3D lightning setup.
He encourages viewers to experiment with different values and custom meshes to enhance the effect.
Takeaways for Future Tutorials:
Ensure detailed explanations on both the material and particle system, as these are key to understanding the randomness in the effect.
Mention specific Unreal Engine features like dynamic parameters, noise textures, and point lights to give viewers insight into creating more complex effects in Niagara.
If you found this breakdown useful or need additional details for your next tutorial, feel free to ask!
I am Ashif Ali, Real-Time VFX Artist, I make Unreal Engine Niagara Tutorial on this channel. I've made it my mission to share my knowledge and expertise with the world through my YouTube channel. So why not join me on this exciting adventure? Follow me on my social links, subscribe to my channel, and support my growth as a creator. Together, we can create amazing things and take our skills to new heights. And who knows, you might even get access to some of my exclusive files for free!