KATANA | Mastering LookDev & Lighting for the VFX industry

Introduction to Section 2 where Arvid will show you the fundamentals of Katana for Windows.

Explanation of Preferences and configuring the interface.

Arvid shows the process of navigation and viewing within Katana. Students will feel more familiar with Navigation within Katana

Arvid explains very important principles of how the scene graph is being evaluated and how it impacts the structure of the template.

Key structures of the template are elaborated and workflows are being discussed to find the optimal setup.

Arvid explains the important principles of look development and lighting.

The importance of upstream departments are being explained in detailed and how to make sure you get the correct data.

Brief introduction to Section 3 where Arvid will show the similarities between software packages like Maya, Houdini and Katana.

Arvid shows the different nodes within different DCCs and points out similarities.

If you are not that familiar with Arnold - Check out my other course on Udemy about Arnold. This way it will ensure that you are comfortable to follow this whole course in exactly.

Welcome lecture for Section 4 where Arvid will explain all relevant Look Development techniques and workflows.

A bit more technical, Arvid will show how to set up shortcuts which call external Python script to ease functionality within Katana. After that Students will be able to create own shortcuts to help their workflow.

Arvid introduces the basic Look Development workflows and shares interesting concepts. After this lecture Students will be able to understand the rough concepts of creating templates for Look Development.

This lecture will explain how to set up automatic shader assignments and how to work with child materials.

Arvid will explain what KLF - Katana Look File - baking is, and how it will help you manage large assets for different shots.

Ever wondered how to create a unique turn table setup with all the bells and whistles? Arvid will go over all the details how to set it up and get a generic template working. Students will understand how to create complex tools within Katana and how to control them using expressions.

Using the Gaffer, Arvid will show how to set up a basic Lighting template for assets to maintain a consistent look.

Introduction to Lighting for Section 5 where Arvid will introduce important tools and techniques for shot lighting.

The Gaffer a versatile lighting tool for Artists. Arvid will explain the most important features and workflows.

Overview of the Monitor and Catalog. Important tools for viewing and controlling current rendered images.

Setting up different outputs variables for your rendered image. Arvid will help you to set up a little tool which makes controlling this a lot easier.

Setting up render outputs to write your rendered images to disk.

Introduction to the Advanced Section 6 where Arvid will explain core nodes of Katana.

How to add different render resolutions using XML file.

Interactive Render Filter aka IRF - Very important tool to ease lighting and look development workflows. Its interactive shortcuts which will only be activated in an interactive session.

Arvid will explain in detail the power of expressions and reference expressions. This will help you to control different values together, create macros and just work more efficient as an artist.

Controlling the Dataflow using switches. This lecture will explain the importance of Variable Enabled Groups and Variable Switches. Both very powerful concepts to help the artist control the data flow.

Very similar to Variables the Graph State Variables live globally within the Katana session. Arvid will explain the core principles behind this. After this lecture Students will be able to set up their own variables and control the data flow.

Referencing Katana nodes from external scenes. Arvid will show you the concepts of Live Groups and how to edit and publish their contents.

Do you want to create your own locked tool and share it with colleagues or other departments. Macros are made for that. Arvid will go in to detail on the creation of a macro, and how to store and maintain it.

Very technical lesson about Opscripting. Arvid will show you an example on how to manipulate render output paths using a simple opscript written in the scripting language lua for katana.

Introduction of the final Section 7 Becoming the Master. This lecture will guide you through the lookdev creation of assets, how to light several shots and how to render all that out to disk.

Overview of the completed look development template and how to work with that.

Look developing a production asset, using basic shading principles, material overrides, textures. After this lecture Students will be able to produce their own look dev on production assets.

Setting up the Lighting Template and developing working flows and variable to help control the data flow.

This lecture will provide an introduction of spotlighting using the Gaffer node. Setting up master light rigs, and manipulating them.

Working on more than one shot? Different cameras, different angles. Arvid will show great techniques to easily handle several shots and maintain the flexibility of a single gaffer.

Setting up different render passes for lighting, and how to override setting and shaders.

Basic introduction of compositing within Katana. This is intended just for checking your renders and output slap comps.

Brief introduction to Section 8 for bonus lectures