Serra Lessons
Experimenting
Week 1 of the Advanced and Experimental Unit began with a focus on procedural environment creation and simulation. Gaea was selected to generate terrain using its node-based system, offering precise control over shaping natural landscapes.
As the only terrain design software of its kind released in 2019, Gaea is still evolving, but it remains highly effective for experimentation and is well-suited for integration with Unreal Engine 5.
In parallel, Houdini was introduced to explore environmental simulations like snow and wind. Despite having no prior experience with the software, its inclusion represents a deliberate step into more complex technical workflows.
Houdini is considered experimental within this project due to the lack of prior experience and the software’s highly technical nature.
All elements are being prepared for integration into UE5 to test the flexibility of the pipeline and enhance visual storytelling within a real-time space. The project is designed to be ambitious, pushing technical and creative boundaries while embracing the spirit of experimentation.
This combination of tools sets the foundation for an ambitious and forward-thinking project one that embraces technical risks and aims to unlock new visual storytelling potential within UE5.