Implementing a Flow Map Fluid Pipeline Between MARI and UDK
by Eddie Russell and Joshua Kinney
In this series of tutorials, we will learn how to create and utilize flow maps to create a water shader in UDK. Software required: MARI v2.0v1, UDK July 2013.
What you'll learn
In this series of tutorials, we will learn how to create and utilize flow maps to create a water shader in UDK. We will start by discussing what a flow map does and how it can give your water shaders an extra boost in quality. Then we'll create a level proxy and water plane for the artist who will be creating the flow map in MARI. From there, we will take you through the process of creating the flow map in MARI. You will learn how to set up your MARI project, how to paint and nudge your flow map, how to utilize the Vector Inspection Grid to assist in painting flow, and how to scale the flow vector to control intensity. You will finish up with by learning how to export your flow maps to be used in UDK. Then we'll wrap up the training by jumping back into UDK and learn how to set up a water shader that will utilize our MARI-created flow map. Software required: MARI v2.0v1, UDK July 2013.
About the authors
Eddie began teaching creative professionals over ten years ago for Digital Tutors. In 2014 Digital Tutors was acquired by Pluralsight and he continued his focus on creating high quality training for artists in both the film and games industries. With a background in graphic design and illustration Eddie has always been focused on visual appeal. This can be seen through his courses in which he shares secrets for achieving production level quality for concept art, illustrations, textures, mater... moreials as well as lighting. Eddie takes pride in helping creative professionals overcome the barriers of technology and software so that they can effortlessly harness their creativity in their own projects.
While teaching with Pluralsight, Eddie has had the opportunity to contribute to many exciting projects. He's also contributed creative training articles to both Photoshop Creative and ImagineFX. Eddie's favorite project as a tutor has been taking part in the Transforming Robot Production Pipeline series. So if you're ready to learn environment art, texturing, or rendering from the ground up, or your graphic designs lack that special "it" factor, let Eddie unlock your potential as an artist.
Joshua is a devoted games author at Pluralsight. For years Joshua has been a key author behind Digital-Tutors' (now a Pluralsight company) popular game engine training. As a kid, he had a passion for playing video games, which eventually developed into a fascination with the process of game creation. The question of "How'd they do that?" led Joshua on a quest to learn to make these games himself. Ever since then, Joshua has devoted his life to creating games, as well as teaching others to build ... moretheir own fantastic video games.
He gets a huge sense of pride in knowing that he can make a difference in helping people create incredible games. From platformers to puzzlers, Joshua will gladly guide any artist who wants to start using a game engine and learn to put some power behind their polygons. At Pluralsight, he has been honored to develop the core curriculum for CryENGINE, Unity, UDK, and Unreal Engine 4.