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Unreal 5 Materials - Part 4 Post Process Materials

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 49 ratings
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Thomas Harle

Welcome to Part 4 of my complete Unreal Engine 5 Materials Course, here on Udemy.  Following on from Part 1 - Environmental Materials and Part 2 - Animated Foliage Materials with World Position Offset and Part 3 - Visual Effects Materials, this course looks at Post Process Materials - using Scene Textures to create full screen effects for your scenes.  Over the course of 4 hours, all broken down into bite size 10-15 min videos, we cover everything from the basics of Post Process, Scene Textures, Depth based Effects and full example Materials for things like Underwater, Night Vision and Stylised Hand Drawn shaders. 

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Welcome to Part 4 of my complete Unreal Engine 5 Materials Course, here on Udemy.  Following on from Part 1 - Environmental Materials and Part 2 - Animated Foliage Materials with World Position Offset and Part 3 - Visual Effects Materials, this course looks at Post Process Materials - using Scene Textures to create full screen effects for your scenes.  Over the course of 4 hours, all broken down into bite size 10-15 min videos, we cover everything from the basics of Post Process, Scene Textures, Depth based Effects and full example Materials for things like Underwater, Night Vision and Stylised Hand Drawn shaders. 

Each chapter contains many worked examples, full of handy comments, as well as a corresponding video lecture that explains in detail what is being done and why - so you're learning both the techniques and building up a base of  background knowledge of first principal concepts, allowing you to build up your own shaders in future.

With industry standard practices from my 15 year career, including 5 years of teaching Game Art at a Masters Degree level, this course will cover various uses of Post Process Materials - Basics, Scene Depth, Blurs and Distortions, Material Effects, Underwater, Night Vision, Sobel Edge Detection, Fake Lighting and Stylised Hand Drawn effects.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn industry standard best practices for post process materials in unreal 5
  • Understand the different components of the scene texture node and what buffers are available
  • Build up a library of realtime blurs and distortions to replicate real world photography effects
  • Replicate multiple real world effects, such as underwater and night vision shaders

Syllabus

Introduction

Course Files are available here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/u2zaqehf1qr45v4/UE5_Materials_PP.zip?dl=0

Post Process Material Domain
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores post-process materials, which are essential for creating visually stunning and immersive gaming experiences using full screen effects for scenes
Builds a library of realtime blurs and distortions, which allows learners to replicate real-world photography effects within Unreal Engine 5
Teaches industry-standard best practices for post-process materials in Unreal Engine 5, which is highly relevant for professional game development
Requires prior knowledge from Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Unreal Engine 5 Materials course, which may be a barrier for some learners
Uses Unreal Engine 5, so learners should ensure they have access to the software and that their hardware meets the minimum specifications

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Reviews summary

Unreal engine 5 post process mastery

According to learners, this course provides a deep dive into Unreal Engine 5's Post Process Materials, guided by an instructor with industry-level expertise. Many found the content clear and easy to follow, breaking down complex topics like Scene Textures and depth effects into bite-sized videos. Students particularly appreciated the practical examples and the detailed explanations of first-principle concepts, enabling them to build their own shaders. While the course is highly regarded for its specific focus and useful techniques, some reviewers implicitly noted that prior familiarity with Unreal Engine and the material editor is helpful, suggesting it builds upon existing knowledge.
Assumes some prior UE experience.
"While it starts with basics of PP, some general UE material editor knowledge is helpful."
"Might be a bit fast-paced if you're completely new to materials in Unreal."
"I found it helpful having completed parts 1-3, but you might get by with general UE knowledge."
"Good for those already familiar with Unreal's interface and material nodes."
"Newcomers might need to pause and rewatch some parts."
Concepts are explained clearly.
"The explanations are very clear and the videos are well-paced."
"He breaks down the concepts into easily digestible parts."
"Everything is explained in detail, which really helps understanding."
"Followed along without issues thanks to the clear instructions."
"Complex ideas were made simple to grasp."
Covers various advanced PP effects.
"This course covered exactly what I needed for Post Process materials."
"Explores advanced topics like Sobel edge detection and stylised effects in detail."
"From basics to advanced, it covers a good range of Post Process uses."
"Really liked the section on Scene Textures and Buffer Visualisation."
"The course went into the depth I was hoping for on specific effects."
Course includes many useful demos.
"The worked examples are full of useful tips and comments."
"Building the effects like Underwater and Night Vision were great practical applications."
"I appreciated the hands-on approach with multiple material examples."
"The course provides fantastic examples that you can immediately use and learn from."
"The demos are really helpful for understanding how to build the effects."
Instructor provides clear explanations.
"The instructor's expertise shines through, making complex concepts understandable."
"His explanations are very clear and he covers the 'why' behind the techniques."
"Learned a lot from his industry background and teaching style."
"The instructor is very knowledgeable and explains things step-by-step."
"Excellent explanations, very easy to follow along."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Unreal 5 Materials - Part 4 Post Process Materials with these activities:
Review Material Editor Fundamentals
Refresh your understanding of the Unreal Engine Material Editor before diving into post-process materials. This will make understanding the node graphs and material properties much easier.
Show steps
  • Open the Unreal Engine and create a new project.
  • Create a new material and open the Material Editor.
  • Experiment with different material nodes and properties.
Read 'Mastering Unreal Engine 5'
Expand your knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 and its advanced material techniques.
View Master the Art of Unreal Engine 4 - Blueprints on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Mastering Unreal Engine 5'.
  • Focus on the chapters related to materials and rendering.
  • Experiment with the techniques described in the book.
Read 'Unreal Engine 5 Character Creation, Animation, and Cinematics'
Gain a broader understanding of how post-process materials are used in the context of character creation, animation, and cinematics.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Unreal Engine 5 Character Creation, Animation, and Cinematics'.
  • Read the chapters related to visual effects and rendering.
  • Experiment with applying post-process materials to cinematic scenes.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Custom Night Vision Shader
Solidify your understanding of post-process materials by creating a custom night vision shader with unique visual features. This will test your ability to combine different scene textures and material functions.
Show steps
  • Analyze the existing night vision shader example from the course.
  • Identify areas for improvement or customization.
  • Implement your custom features using the Material Editor.
  • Test and refine your shader in different lighting conditions.
Replicate Photography Effects
Practice replicating real-world photography effects using post-process materials. This will improve your understanding of blurs, distortions, and color grading techniques.
Show steps
  • Choose a photography effect to replicate (e.g., chromatic aberration, depth of field).
  • Research the technical aspects of the effect.
  • Implement the effect using post-process materials in Unreal Engine.
  • Compare your result to the original photography effect.
Document Custom Material Functions
Create documentation for custom material functions you create during the course. This will reinforce your understanding of their functionality and make them easier to reuse in future projects.
Show steps
  • Choose a custom material function you created.
  • Describe the function's purpose and inputs/outputs.
  • Provide examples of how to use the function.
  • Organize your documentation in a clear and concise manner.
Post-Process Material Showcase
Create a small environment or scene specifically designed to showcase various post-process material effects. This will allow you to experiment with different combinations and fine-tune your skills.
Show steps
  • Design a scene that benefits from post-process effects.
  • Implement a variety of post-process materials in the scene.
  • Adjust the materials to achieve the desired visual style.
  • Document your process and results.

Career center

Learners who complete Unreal 5 Materials - Part 4 Post Process Materials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Visual Effects Artist
A Visual Effects Artist is responsible for creating stunning visual effects (VFX) for games, film, or television. This involves using specialized software and techniques to produce effects such as explosions, fire, water, and other environmental phenomena. This course on Unreal Engine 5 focused on post process materials directly translates to the work of a Visual Effects Artist, since it covers the creation of full screen effects using scene textures. The course's detailed exploration of depth based effects, blurs, distortions, and material effects helps the artist to create compelling and realistic visuals. The course directly addresses the needs of a Visual Effects Artist by teaching them how to manipulate UVs and scene samples to create blurs and distortions. A Visual Effects Artist would find the course's worked examples, handy comments, and video lectures very helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Effects Artist
Shader Developer
A Shader Developer specializes in writing and optimizing shaders, which are programs that determine how light interacts with surfaces and objects in a 3D environment. These professionals are crucial for achieving specific visual styles and effects in games and other applications. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials is very applicable to a Shader Developer, since it covers the creation of full screen effects using scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders. The course's content, including industry standard practices and a focus on first principal concepts, enables Shader Developers to build a strong foundation for creating custom shaders. A Shader Developer gains practical experience and a deeper understanding of how to achieve various visual effects in Unreal Engine 5, from underwater simulations to stylized hand drawn looks. This course explores how to customize depth and stencil buffers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Shader Developer
Technical Artist
The role of a Technical Artist bridges the gap between artists and programmers, ensuring that artistic visions are realized within the technical constraints of a game engine. This often involves creating and implementing shaders and visual effects, working with post process materials to enhance the game's visual quality. A course teaching Unreal Engine 5 post process materials, including scene textures, depth-based effects, and stylized shaders, directly aligns with the responsibilities of a Technical Artist. The knowledge gained from this course, such as industry standard practices for post process materials and understanding scene texture nodes, helps build a strong foundation for creating visually stunning and performant game experiences. A Technical Artist who takes this course will learn to replicate real world effects, such as underwater and night vision shaders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist
Realtime Graphics Programmer
A Realtime Graphics Programmer focuses on developing and optimizing graphics rendering pipelines for games and other interactive applications. These programmers work closely with artists to implement visual effects and ensure optimal performance. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials is very helpful for a Realtime Graphics Programmer, since it covers the creation of full screen effects using scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders. The course provides a solid foundation in the principles of post processing and enables Realtime Graphics Programmers to understand how to implement various visual effects in Unreal Engine 5. A Realtime Graphics Programmer would particularly benefit from this training.
See salaries and explore the career path for Realtime Graphics Programmer
Environment Artist
An Environment Artist designs and creates the environments in which games take place. This includes building landscapes, cities, and interiors, paying close attention to detail and creating a believable and immersive atmosphere. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials is very helpful to Environment Artists, as it provides them with the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance the visual quality and atmosphere of their environments. The course covers the creation of full screen effects using scene textures, as well as depth based effects and stylized shaders. An Environment Artist learns how to create realistic and stylized environments, from underwater scenes to night vision effects. This course's syllabus includes stylizing textures and fake lighting.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Artist
Materials Artist
A Materials Artist specializes in creating realistic and stylized textures, often working with shaders to define the surface properties of objects in a virtual environment. This role relies heavily on understanding how materials interact with light and how to create convincing visual representations using tools like Unreal Engine's material editor. A course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials is very useful for a Materials Artist because it covers techniques for creating full screen effects and manipulating scene textures. The course's focus on industry standard practices and background knowledge of first principal concepts enables Materials Artists to build complex and visually appealing shaders. The range of effects covered, from underwater to stylized hand drawn shaders, provides a broad skillset applicable to diverse projects. Learning to work with scene depth, blurs, distortions, material effects also greatly benefits a Materials Artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Artist
Architectural Visualization Specialist
An Architectural Visualization Specialist creates photorealistic renderings and interactive visualizations of architectural designs. This role often involves using software such as Unreal Engine to create immersive experiences for clients. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials is very applicable to the work of an Architectural Visualization Specialist, as post process effects can significantly enhance the visual quality and realism of architectural renderings. The course's coverage of scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders helps Architectural Visualization Specialists create compelling and immersive visualizations. They can leverage this course to create stunning effects that allow clients to experience architectural designs in a realistic and engaging way. Gaining experience with depth fog is particularly helpful to an Architectural Visualization Specialist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Visualization Specialist
Virtual Reality Developer
A Virtual Reality Developer creates immersive experiences using VR technology. This involves designing and developing interactive environments, user interfaces, and gameplay mechanics. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials directly applies to the work of a Virtual Reality Developer, as post process effects are crucial for creating visually compelling and immersive VR experiences. The course's coverage of scene textures and depth based effects helps VR Developers create realistic and engaging environments. A Virtual Reality Developer learns how to implement effects such as underwater visuals, night vision, and stylized shaders, enhancing the sense of presence and realism for VR users. This course will be particularly useful to a Virtual Reality Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Virtual Reality Developer
Game Engine Developer
A Game Engine Developer works on the underlying technology that powers video games. This involves designing and implementing new features, optimizing performance, and ensuring that the engine is stable and reliable. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials is very beneficial for a Game Engine Developer because it covers the creation of full screen effects using scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders. This training enables Game Engine Developers to understand how these effects are implemented and how they can be optimized for performance. A Game Engine Developer can leverage their skills to customize depth and stencil buffers. This training allows the Game Engine Developer to build proficiency with first principal concepts.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Engine Developer
Augmented Reality Developer
An Augmented Reality Developer creates applications that overlay digital information onto the real world. This involves using AR software development kits (SDKs) and game engines to create interactive and engaging experiences for users. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials is very helpful for an Augmented Reality Developer, as post process effects can be used to enhance the visual quality of AR applications. The course's coverage of scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders can enable AR Developers to create more realistic and immersive AR experiences. The Augmented Reality Developer learns different components of the scene texture node and what buffers are available. This course will be particularly insightful for an Augmented Reality Developer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Augmented Reality Developer
Simulation Engineer
Simulation Engineers develop and implement realistic simulations for various purposes, such as training, research, and entertainment. These engineers often use game engines and other 3D software to create interactive and immersive simulations. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials may be valuable for Simulation Engineers, as it provides them with the skills and knowledge to enhance the visual quality and realism of their simulations. The course covers the creation of full screen effects using scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders. A Simulation Engineer could learn to replicate real world effects, such as underwater and night vision shaders. This course can offer a Simulation Engineer new skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Engineer
Motion Graphics Artist
A Motion Graphics Artist creates animated graphics and visual effects for various media, including television, film, and web. This involves using software such as Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D to create dynamic and engaging visuals. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials may provide an opportunity for a Motion Graphics Artist to expand their skillset and explore new creative possibilities. The course's coverage of scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders can be applied to create unique and visually appealing motion graphics. The Motion Graphics Artist may find the course useful for creating realtime effects. A Motion Graphics Artist may find this course useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Artist
Game Artist
A Game Artist creates the visual elements of video games, including characters, environments, and special effects. This role requires a strong understanding of art principles and the ability to use various software tools to bring their creations to life. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials may be useful for a Game Artist, as it provides valuable knowledge and skills related to creating visual effects and enhancing the overall look of a game. The course's coverage of scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders gives a Game Artist additional tools to improve the visual quality of their work. The course may also help the Game Artist understand how to create unique and immersive visual experiences for players.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist
Level Designer
A Level Designer creates the layouts and gameplay scenarios for video game levels. They work closely with artists and programmers to ensure that the levels are both visually appealing and fun to play. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials may be useful for a Level Designer, as it provides them with the skills and knowledge to enhance the visual aspects of their levels. The course covers the creation of full screen effects using scene textures, as well as depth based effects and stylized shaders. By understanding how post process materials work, a Level Designer gains the ability to create more immersive and visually appealing levels. This course can help a Level Designer leverage depth buffers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Level Designer
Product Designer
A Product Designer is involved in the design and development of new products, focusing on both the aesthetics and functionality. They use 3D modeling software to create prototypes and visualizations. This course on Unreal Engine 5 post process materials may be insightful for a Product Designer, as it provides them with the skills and knowledge necessary to create visually appealing and realistic product renderings. The course's coverage of scene textures, depth based effects, and stylized shaders can be applied to enhance the visual quality of product presentations and marketing materials. The Product Designer learns how to manipulate UVs and scene samples to create blurs and distortions. A Product Designer will find this course useful for learning to implement stylised textures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Unreal 5 Materials - Part 4 Post Process Materials.
Cover image
Master the Art of Unreal Engine 4 - Blueprints
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of Unreal Engine 5, including advanced material techniques. It can be used as a reference text to deepen your understanding of the engine's capabilities. It is particularly useful for understanding the broader context of material creation within a game development pipeline. This book is commonly used by both academic institutions and industry professionals.
Master the Art of Unreal Engine 4 - Blueprints
Paperback
Check
Master the Art of Unreal Engine 4 - Blueprints
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Provides a broader context for using post-process materials in cinematic scenes. While not directly focused on post-process effects, it covers character creation, animation, and cinematic techniques that can be enhanced with the materials learned in the course. It is more valuable as additional reading to understand how post-process materials fit into a larger production pipeline. This book is useful for those interested in creating high-quality cinematics in Unreal Engine 5.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
3.5 total hours
Via
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Instructor
Thomas Harle
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores post-process materials, which are essential for creating visually stunning and immersive gaming experiences using full screen effects for scenes
Builds a library of realtime blurs and distortions, which allows learners to replicate real-world photography effects within Unreal Engine 5
Teaches industry-standard best practices for post-process materials in Unreal Engine 5, which is highly relevant for professional game development
Requires prior knowledge from Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Unreal Engine 5 Materials course, which may be a barrier for some learners
Uses Unreal Engine 5, so learners should ensure they have access to the software and that their hardware meets the minimum specifications
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