Carsten Baars

FX Artist
Alumni @ Rebelway | Pixlvisn

Last Update: 08/01/2024

About Me & Contact
Demo Projects
Tutorials
Houdini Tools
Student Work Term 4
Student Work Term 3
Student Work Term 2
Student Work Term 1

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About Me

I am a passionate VFX Artist, specialized in FX, having a background in mechanical / calculational engineering. After a few years working as a mechanical engineer i decided to pivot my focus entirely on VFX to combine technical skills in a more creative way and to produce compelling images and animations. My VFX journey started with different DCC packages like Maya (modeling, animation, etc...) to get a broad knowledge about different disciplines before I fully switched over to FX, where Houdini is now my main working environment for almost every kind of task. I love creating beautiful images, doing R&D and working within a striving team.Have a great day!

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Demo Projects

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River Walk
Wastelander
Back To The Future
Skyward
Gingerbread House

River Walk (Houdini / Arnold)

Wastelander / First Shot (Houdini / Arnold)

Back To The Future - Fan Short (Houdini / Arnold)

Skyward (Houdini / Arnold)

Gingerbread House (Houdini / Arnold)

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Tutorials

Attack on Titan - Cannon Shot inlc. Project Files (Houdini / Axiom / Karma XPU)

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Houdini Tools

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File Cache Controller
Arnold LookDev Tool
Proc Construction Assets
Gingerbread House

File Cache HDA - the better one

Download:

Link to Gumroad

Use discount code IVEGOTTHEPOWER at gumroad checkout to get the HDA for free!Features:
This file cache node combines the advantage of the Labs File Cache Node (like wedging in with TOP) with an improved version management and some other useful functions, to make life a bit easier:- Only one node for caching .bgeo.sc, .vdb, .abc files
- Caching with SOP or TOP nodes
- Automatic creation of depedency tree for ROPnet (fetch or geo/abc rops) and TOPnet. the included [submitter]-nodes will trigger the version update of the file cache hda in SOP.
- Improved version management: cache syncs with the hip file version, when new cache will be created.
- Easier version comparison.
- Hip file version update, archiving of hip-files and deletion of current or previous cache version.
- Option for faster write/read to disk for animations (will create more lightweight point cache + static geometry to deform).
- Some pre-/post process steps.
- Easy import of other project caches
- .zip file contains the main hda for the cache node and the rop/top submitter hda (will update version of caches in the dependecy tree)Requirements: installed Houdini Labs packageCreated in H19.5.493, mainly tested in Rocky LinuxLet me know about bugs or suggestions for improvement. Have fun!

Arnold LookDev Tool - ACES CG

Download:
Use discount code BEAUTY at gumroad checkout to get the HDA for free!

Link to Gumroad

Setup:
- Place lookdev_aces_cg.1.0.hdalc in houdinixx.x/otls-folder or yur hda databse
- Place resource folder LookDev_ACESCG_data-folder in any folder you like
- Refer to the resource folder under Resources tab via user interface of the tool
- Also refer to you hdri folder under Resources tab

Features:
- ACES Workflow
- Different template objects
- Switch to objects on disk or in HIP-file, objects will be placed at orgin
- Turntable animation for objects
- Internal turntable camera, automatic aim depending on object size, cam pos adjustable
- Switch between internal and external camera (connect any cam with input), focal length & aperture recognized for proper MacBeth Chart placement
- Different HDRIs
- Turntable animation for HDRIs
- Different backdrop options / styles, scale of backdrop adjustable, grid texture and turntable plate automatically resized
- MacBeth charts and spheres automatically placed in front of internal or external camera
- Influence of backdrops on MacBeth chart and spheres
- Arnold render node

Procedural Construction Assets

Download:

Link to Gumroad

Use discount code NUKACOLA at gumroad checkout to get the HDAs for free!Procedural Construction Asset Bundle for Houdini: Get ready for some fancy construction models!All HDAs in this bundle were built during the projects Wastelander (my first fx demo) and Back to the Future (team project with Arvid Schneider and CG Lounge Support) and will generate easy-to-use and simulation-friendly meshes for your next project. UVs for the meshes are available by default or can be calculated optionally. Some of the assets also generates additional geometries suitable for specific simulation cases. All HDAs are provided in Indie licence (.hdalc).Check out the videos below to see how these assets were used in the projects.What assets are included?
- Barrel
- Screw
- Barbed Wire
- Square Beam
- I Beam
- Wooden Pallet
- Corrugated Sheet Metal
- Wire Fence
- Wire Mesh
- Pipe Z
- Metal Barricade
- Wooden Barricade
- Wooden Barrier