Come learn powerful techniques for applying distance fields with shaders in UE4. This talk goes over various ways to source distance field data both from within UE4 and from external programs and demonstrates practical examples you can apply to any project. Examples range from simple material blending tricks to fully dynamic methods, such as artistically modeled fluid simulation. On the blending side, this session will go over how to achieve automated blending of objects such as rock meshes into terrain. On the simulation side, learn how to combine distance fields with flowmaps to make rivers flow around obstacles, creating white-water automatically, and learn how ocean waves can be made to crash against beach rocks while synchronizing related effects such as splashes.

Takeaway

This talk gives an overview of distance fields and demonstrates ways to use them inside of UE4. Learn how they can be a powerful tool for artists using a variety of techniques ranging from material blending to combining distance fields with flowmaps to have artistically controlled fluids.

Intended Audience

This talk is for developers looking to extend their knowledge of material based environmental effects. Demonstrated using UE4; techniques will be general enough to apply to other engines. Geared towards environment artists, tech artists and effects artists with an intermediate level understanding of materials/shading, although anyone can benefit.