In this workshop, Graham Cunningham establishes the technical foundation for a professional VFX pipeline by emphasizing proper software configuration and organized project management. Graham demonstrates how a structured folder hierarchy is essential for an efficient workflow in production environments. These preparatory steps ensure all software components communicate correctly and files remain organized throughout the lighting and compositing process.

Duration: 5m 28s

This lesson reinforces a practical, ground-level approach to asset preparation for rendering pipelines. Graham explains that while many of these manual processes would be automated in large studios, understanding the fundamentals of material setup and color space management is essential. Graham highlights how to organize textures to create stable, production-ready 3D assets, successfully showing how to prepare purchased assets for professional rendering.

Duration: 21m 55s

Graham demonstrates that while modern collaborative file formats offer powerful capabilities for asset management, the process is highly technical and requires careful attention to hierarchy and export settings. Graham explains the value of technical directors in studios for managing these workflows and demonstrates why proper file naming and version control are essential for real-world production environments.

Duration: 23m 6s

This lesson dives into an updated Katana 7 interface optimized for modern USD-based workflows while maintaining compatibility with industry practices. Graham highlights practical production techniques used in professional environments, including modular node structures and non-destructive rendering tools. These updates make the template more flexible and powerful while remaining accessible to artists learning Katana, bridging the gap between educational resources and real-world production requirements.

Duration: 24m 31s

In this lesson, Graham demonstrates an approach to optimizing render workflows by consolidating multiple image channels into organized files rather than numerous separate ones. Graham explains how this system balances technical requirements with practical needs, recognizing that not all data passes are equally useful. While the implementation creates a streamlined interface, Graham highlights the remaining challenges in certain areas, providing both solutions and honest assessments.

Duration: 22m 15s

Graham explains how starting with scene optimization and building up lighting through multiple strategic sources helps create dimensional, cinematic results. He highlights the importance of maintaining flexibility for adjustments in the final stages, reflecting industry-standard practices that allow for maximum creative control while still optimizing efficiency for the final delivery.

Duration: 30m 44s

In this lesson, Graham demonstrates that efficient rendering comes from understanding when to isolate lights and use visibility settings appropriately for each pass type. Graham explains how organizing outputs into versioned directories allows artists to iterate efficiently while maintaining control over each element. This separation of atmospheric effects and characters provides maximum flexibility during the final assembly.

Duration: 19m 33s

This lesson provides a practical solution for managing multiple image layers by creating a custom tool that consolidates separate files into one organized interface. Graham demonstrates how this approach significantly streamlines the workflow by allowing artists to toggle layers on and off through simple controls. Graham explains how managing all file paths from a single location makes assembling the final shot more efficient.

Duration: 10m 18s

Graham explains a disciplined, non-destructive workflow for manipulating light passes. Graham demonstrates that by separating lights and using specific exposure adjustments, artists can iterate quickly while preserving the ability to update the original renders accurately. He highlights how focusing on organization ensures both creative flexibility and technical integrity during the final look development.

Duration: 15m 11s

This lesson highlights proper image channel management and efficient node cloning. Graham demonstrates how splitting lighting into separate passes and recombining them gives artists complete creative control over the final look. By splitting lighting into separate passes and recombining them in comp, artists gain complete creative control over the final look while avoiding common technical issues like black halos and incorrect alpha values.

Duration: 13m 33s

In this lesson, Graham demonstrates professional techniques for creating believable atmospheric depth without relying solely on heavy, time-consuming simulations. Artists learn how combining multiple efficient techniques, such as procedural noise and clever color extraction, can produce high-quality results. Graham highlights best practices for documentation so that the work can be easily handed off to other artists.

Duration: 21m 42s

This technique allows Graham to demonstrate how to add dimension to scenes efficiently by placing multiple 3D cards at varying distances. Artists learn how using background data for positioning helps these elements integrate naturally into the scene.

Duration: 10m 28s

The lesson emphasizes that successful final imagery requires both technical knowledge and artistic judgment. Graham demonstrates how to use fresh perspective techniques, like mirroring the image, to critically evaluate the work. Great results come from constant comparison and subtle refinement, illustrating that technical execution must always serve the artistic vision.

Duration: 24m 9s

In this final lesson, Graham wraps up the workshop by demonstrating the final steps of exporting a composition and expresses his thoughts on the outcome.

Duration: 35s