Lightning Strike - Real-time VFX
Impact Effect isolated. Direction of the effect is read from the Lightning Blueprint.
Line-trace that sends the start and end location of the Lightning Strikes to the Niagara System.
Each Line Trace is given a directional value from a vector which is then multiplied by a random number which gives us our end position. Then the next Line Trace starts from that position.
Noise that warps the lightning beam showcased in Substance Designer. The top and bottom are not warped in Unreal Engine to make sure they fit together.
For my third project I wanted to try my hand at creating an environmental effect and decided on creating a lightning strike effect. I wanted to make it mostly realistic but took some creative liberties to achieve the effect I wanted. The lightning effect is generated during play time through a blueprint setup.
I used both real life and game references any my game reference was S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2.
I used a premade scene for the project and adjusted the lighting quite a bit. I also adjusted the scene somewhat to give more room for the lightning strikes.
--- If I had more time ---
I would have added an effect so that the clouds light up as well as additional smaller "sub" lightning strikes. Sound would have also added a lot to the effect.
The scene is from the Temples Of Cambodia asset which is available here:
https://www.fab.com/listings/9211e1d8-16e7-4429-a1b3-e4ceb02018ab
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