Degree in Multimedia Engineering - Minor in Videogames

Bachelor in Multimedia Engineering - Minor in Videogames

Enrol in a Multimedia Engineering Degree at La Salle and be ready to become an excellent professional in technological integration by acquiring a strong technical and artistic background.

Virtual production

Back to Syllabus

Description: 

Virtual Production is a practical subject that introduces students to the tools and workflows used in contemporary digital production environments. Through Unreal Engine 5, students explore real-time rendering, shading, VFX, procedural generation, animation, and virtual production techniques including green screen integration. The course emphasises hands-on project work, culminating in a collaborative short film that integrates all acquired skills.

Type Subject
Optativa
Semester
Second
Credits
5.00

Titular Professors

Eduardo Jose Reyes Perez
Professor
Previous Knowledge: 

Students are recommended to have basic familiarity with 3D software and real-time engines. Previous experience with any DCC tool (Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D) is an advantage, as is a basic understanding of digital image composition and colour theory.

Objectives: 

  • Acquire practical proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 for real-time scene creation and rendering.
  • Understand and apply shading, lighting, and post-processing techniques.
  • Create visual effects using Niagara particle systems.
  • Use Procedural Content Generation (PCG) tools to build complex environments efficiently.
  • Integrate animation, sequencer, and camera workflows into a coherent production pipeline.
  • Produce a short virtual production piece combining green screen footage with a fully designed digital environment.

Contents: 

Block 1 — Environment & Scene Building Introduction to Unreal Engine 5 editor navigation, Fab asset library and Megascans, landscape and foliage tools, lighting and HDRI backdrops, fog systems, camera setup and scene configuration.

Block 2 — Shading Basic surface materials (plastic, metallic, semi-transparent), texture control, distortion shaders, projection-based materials (mossy rocks), layer/vertex painting, decals, light functions, contact blending, water materials, and post-processing effects (toon shader, cel shading, outline, multi-coloured fog).

Block 3 — Animation, Cameras & Sequencer FBX and ABC animation files, free animation packs, Mixamo integration, sequencer basics, blending animations, camera and post-process settings, rendering output, and an introduction to Motion Design.

Block 4 — Visual Effects (VFX) Introduction to Niagara: GPU sprite, mesh renderer, ribbon renderer, impact hit effects, and flame thrower systems.

Block 5 — Procedural Content Generation (PCG) Point distribution, forest and road generation, spline-based fences, object stacking, simple interiors, landscape material integration with PCG, backrooms generation, and single building creation.

Block 6 — Audio Introduction to MetaSounds: sound management and implementation within Unreal Engine.

Block 7 — Virtual Production Traditional green screen workflows, introduction to the VP lab, compositing digital environments with live-action footage. Final collaborative short film project integrating all previous skills.

Methodology: 

The course is structured around practical studio sessions in which each class introduces a new tool or technique through direct demonstration followed by guided hands-on exercises. Students are expected to replicate and expand on in-class examples autonomously. The final project is developed collaboratively in groups of 3–4, simulating a real production environment. Materials and reference exercises are made available via Google Drive after each session. Feedback is provided individually and collectively throughout the process.

Evaluation: 

ActivityWeightType
Class 1 — Landscape scene (PNG)10%Moderately significant
Class 3 — Shading corridor scene (PNG)25%Highly significant
Class 4 — Animation shot (MP4)10%Moderately significant
Class 5 — Niagara VFX (MP4 + PNG)10%Moderately significant
Class 7 — PCG forest (MP4 OBS)10%Moderately significant
Final project — Virtual Production short film (MP4 + Showcase MP4)35%Highly significant

Evaluation Criteria: 

  • RA.01: Evaluated through the Landscape exercise. Assessed on correct use of terrain tools, asset placement, lighting coherence, and overall compositional quality.
  • RA.02: Evaluated through the Shading/Corridor exercise. Assessed on material variety, technical correctness of shader nodes, and visual integration within the scene.
  • RA.03: Evaluated through the Animation exercise. Assessed on sequencer structure, animation blending quality, camera work, and rendering output.
  • RA.04: Evaluated through the Niagara VFX exercise. Assessed on the use of at least two distinct emitters, visual cohesion of the effect, and technical documentation via screenshots.
  • RA.05: Evaluated through the PCG exercise. Assessed on system complexity, correct use of PCG nodes, and clarity of explanation in the OBS recording.
  • RA.06 & RA.07: Evaluated through the final Virtual Production project. Assessed across all six compulsory categories, group coordination, technical execution, and quality of the showcase recording.

Basic Bibliography: 

  • Epic Games. (2024). Unreal Engine 5 Documentation. https://docs.unrealengine.com
    • ">https://docs.unrealengine.com">https://docs.unrealengine.com
  • Landreneau, E. (2022). Unreal Engine 5: The Complete Beginner's Course. Packt Publishing.

Additional Material: