Week 8|Shader Development TD, Creature TD, Pipeline TD, R&D Programmer

Shader Development TD

Alias: Lookdev TD, lighting artist

Technical department

Entry requirements: Computer Graphics related degree, programming skills, proficiency in using C language

In computer graphics, a shader is a type of computer program originally used for shading in 3D scenes to produce light, darkness, and color in a rendered image. Nowadays shaders can also handle other special effects as well.

Most shaders are coded for and run on a graphics processing unit (GPU), though this is not a strict requirement. There are a bunch of shading languages out there for different platforms, but since they’re all adapted to run on the GPU, they’re all very similar. The official OpenGL shading language is OpenGL Shading Language, also known as GLSL, and the official Direct3D shading language is High Level Shader Language, also known as HLSL. Apple released its own shading language called Metal Shading Language as part of the Metal framework.

Unity and Unreal Engine include node-based editors that can create shaders without the need for actual code, which lower the threshold of shaders for artists.

Shader development TDs are focusing on writing the algorithm to alter and create different shading effects to match the need of the project.

Shader development TDs may have related experience in lookdev TD or lighting artists. They are familiar with CG lighting, and good at programming at the same time. In some companies, the roles of lookdev TD and shader dev TD are combined.

Short intro to shaders

Shaders in UE4

Creature TD

Alias: Character TD, Creature effects (FX) TD, Groom TD

Technical department

Entry requirements: sufficient experience in VFX industry, programming and coding skills(e.g. Python), proficiency in using 3D software packages such as Houdini, Maya, Ziva Dynamics

Creature TD is a more senior role in VFX companies. They develop and program the software that enables VFX artists to create realistic fur, feathers and skin on their creature models, such as dinosaurs, animals or magnificent beasts. Creature creation is one of the most difficlut parts in the project and creation TDs need to keep up to date with the most cutting-edge technology to overcome the obstacles and find solutions.

Creature TDs need to have thorough knowledge of an area of creature specialisation and a broad understanding of the other areas, which include rigging and enveloping in Maya, cloth, hair, flesh, rigid body destruction, crowd simulations etc.

Creature TDs are also required to have strong visual and artistic skills to reach the aesthetic requirements for the project. They always work with other modelling artists and animators. Also, they are involved in the development of departmental tools and techniques, so they need to report to pipeline TDs on time.

The scope of the creature TD role varies depending on the size of the studio. In some studios, the role includes rigging, the skeletons and muscles that they created will be passed to animators to work on as a basis. In larger studios, the role of creature TD is focussed on creating the fur, hair, feathers, skin. Though the task is challenging, they need to be comfortable with the more technical aspects of creature work where appropriate.

Creature TD demo reel

Furry creature workflow

Pipeline TD

Alias: Pipeline technician

Technical department

Entry requirements: knowledge of scripting languages such as Python and C++ and software such as Maya or Houdini, experience as an assistant technical director role in VFX industry, proficiency in Linux

VFX industry is an arts field involving in cutting-edge technology, especially with computer graphics. There are so many digital tools in the industry and various instructions are applied across the field. For the same software package, the version is upgrading all the time, so this cause art workers to face loads of problems during the work.

Additionally, the problems that they may encounter are always across multi-departments, sometimes, experts in one field may not be familiar with another strategy. In this case, recruiting a pipeline engineer who has good problem-solving skills with strong math and computer knowledge combined with a flair for the arts will be a solution.

A Pipeline TD will work with a range of people, including 3D Animators, Riggers, Modellers, Lighters, and Compositors. They communicate with VFX Artists across the team to understand their needs. If the project that they are working on isn’t running smoothly, then it is the Pipeline TD’s responsibility to identify what kind of tools need to be developed to get the issue fixed. Issues that arise might be technical ones to do with digital art, or productivity issues. Their job involves writing or modifying code to solve such problems. They also provide face-to-face technical assistance. Pipeline TDs will work closely with research and development teams, who design and test any new software.

Pipeline development is a complex and ongoing process. Ideal technologists develop coding tools and APIs(application programming interface) to simplify the workflow of artists and TDs.

Gradually these processes become the standard in the industry and can be reused and improved rather than starting from scratch on each new project, which significantly enhances the efficiency.

Pipeline TD reel

Python skills for VFX

R&D Programmer

Alias: Software developer, Research and development programmer

Technical department

Entry requirements: strong coding skills, Python and C++ languages, high familarity with VFX pipeline, a degree in computer science or related fields

R&D Programmer have a great understanding of computer graphics and strong programming skills to actively participate in the development and integration of creative tools into an overall production pipeline. They not only research, design, implement, test, provide technical documentation and support CG software systems and tools for the studio, but also need to ensure that new tools fit within the existing software systems at the same time, which enables the efficient passing of assets from one VFX process to the next.

Software developers are responsible for identifying and optimizing bottlenecks in algorithms and workflows as well as finding optimized solutions to support, and collaborate with other VFX artists.

They are always staying up-to-date with industry trends and new technologies, being accountable for further improvement of software tools and technology development, and finding innovate ways to enable the artists within the pipeline to complete their work as fast and as well as possible.