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Joy Horvath and Unity Technologies
Welcome to Lighting, Reflection, and Post-Processing Effects, the second course in the Unity Certified 3D Artist Specialization from Unity Technologies. The courses in this series will help you prepare for the Unity Certified 3D Artist exam, the professional certification for entry- to mid-level Unity artists. 3D artists are critical to the Unity development pipeline. They are a bridge between the programmers writing the application code and the designers or art directors who define the application’s aesthetics and style. In these courses, you will be challenged to complete realistic art implementation tasks in Unity that are...
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Welcome to Lighting, Reflection, and Post-Processing Effects, the second course in the Unity Certified 3D Artist Specialization from Unity Technologies. The courses in this series will help you prepare for the Unity Certified 3D Artist exam, the professional certification for entry- to mid-level Unity artists. 3D artists are critical to the Unity development pipeline. They are a bridge between the programmers writing the application code and the designers or art directors who define the application’s aesthetics and style. In these courses, you will be challenged to complete realistic art implementation tasks in Unity that are aligned to the topics covered on the exam. In this second course, you will continue work on the Kitchen Configurator application - an app that lets users view a realistic rendering of a kitchen and swap out objects and materials to customize the design. The scene will really start to come to life as you add lighting effects including ambient lighting from a custom skybox, simulated sunlight, interior lights, and realistic reflections. Finally, you’ll use Unity’s Post-Processing Stack to add even more polish to the rendered scene. By the end of the course, you’ll have a scene ready for the next stage: adding interactions through scripts. This is an intermediate course, intended for people who are ready for their first paying roles as Unity 3D artists, or enthusiasts who would like to verify their skills against a professional standard. To succeed, you should have at least 1-2 years of experience implementing 3D art in Unity. You should be proficient at importing assets into Unity from Digital Content Creation (DCC) tools, prototyping scenes, working with lighting, and adding particles and effects. You should also have a basic understanding of 2D asset management, animation, and working with scripts. You should have experience in the full product development lifecycle, and understand multi-platform development, including for XR (AR and VR) platforms.
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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills in ambient lighting, simulated sunlight, interior lighting, and realistic reflections using industry tools and techniques
Taught by certified Unity instructors with recognized industry experience
Meets the needs of both seasoned and aspiring Unity Artists
Requires extensive existing experience and knowledge
Assumes familiarity with Unity digital content creation (DCC) tools

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Reviews summary

Unity exam preparation for 3d artists

This course is well-received and is an excellent resource for those preparing for the Unity Certified 3D Artist exam. The course is challenging but provides learners with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers as Unity 3D artists.
Develops skills needed for Unity 3D artists.
"This course has helped me to understand..."
"...translate it to the Unity3D game engine..."
Excellent resource for exam preparation.
"The course is amazing for exam preparation!"
"...it helped learn a lot with the challenges..."
Issues with importing Post-Processing Stack.
"I had a little bit of problem to import Post processing stack, because at the moment (2020.05.13.) it is not available in the Asset store. Yes, I found it on Github, but I think the videos need a little bit of refreshing!"
Challenging course.
"it hard to learn and there is nothing to learn really, only problems and solutions."

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 Lighting, Reflection, and Post Processing Effects with these activities:
Lighting in Unity
Review the basics of lighting in Unity to ensure you have a solid foundation for this course.
Browse courses on Lighting
Show steps
  • Read the Unity documentation on lighting.
  • Watch some video tutorials on lighting in Unity.
  • Experiment with the different lighting settings in Unity.
Review Lighting Components
Review the types of lighting used in 3D scenes such as ambient lighting, directional lighting, point lighting, and spot lighting to ensure understanding of lighting theory.
Show steps
  • Read the course material on lighting components.
  • Create a basic 3D scene with various lighting components to experiment with their effects in a practical setting.
  • Watch tutorials on how to use different lighting components in Unity.
Unity Lighting Tutorials
Follow some guided tutorials on lighting in Unity to learn more about the different techniques.
Show steps
  • Find some Unity lighting tutorials online.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
  • Experiment with the different techniques you learn.
11 other activities
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Show all 14 activities
Kitchen Configurator Lighting
Start working on the Kitchen Configurator project to apply the lighting techniques you'll learn in this course.
Show steps
  • Create a new Unity project.
  • Import the Kitchen Configurator assets.
  • Set up the lighting in the scene.
Discuss Lighting and Reflection Best Practices
Engage in discussions with peers to exchange knowledge, troubleshoot challenges, and share best practices in lighting and reflection techniques for Unity.
Show steps
  • Participate in online forums or discussion boards dedicated to Unity.
  • Ask questions, provide insights, and collaborate with other Unity enthusiasts.
Lighting Practice
Practice using the different lighting settings in Unity to create different effects.
Show steps
  • Create a scene with a simple object.
  • Experiment with the different lighting types.
  • Experiment with the different lighting settings.
Follow tutorials to improve skills
Enhance your understanding of lighting, reflections, and post-processing effects by following guided tutorials.
Show steps
  • Identify areas where you need improvement.
  • Search for tutorials that cover those topics.
  • Follow the tutorials carefully and complete the exercises.
Master Reflection Techniques
Delve into advanced lighting techniques by following guided tutorials on creating realistic reflections using techniques like cubemaps, planar reflections, and screen-space reflections.
Show steps
  • Locate reputable tutorials on reflection techniques in Unity.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, implementing the techniques in Unity.
  • Experiment with different reflection settings to observe their impact on the scene.
Participate in a lighting design critique session
Gain valuable insights and improve your lighting skills by engaging in a critique session with peers.
Show steps
  • Find a group of peers with similar interests and experience.
  • Share your lighting designs with the group for feedback and critique.
  • Be open to receiving constructive criticism and use it to improve your designs.
Create lighting schemes for different scenes
Solidify your understanding of lighting by practicing the creation of lighting schemes for various scenes.
Browse courses on Lighting Techniques
Show steps
  • Choose a variety of scenes with different environments and objects.
  • Design and implement lighting schemes that enhance the atmosphere and visibility of each scene.
  • Evaluate and refine your lighting schemes to achieve optimal results.
Practice Lighting and Reflection Techniques
Reinforce your understanding by completing practice exercises that focus on lighting and reflection techniques, allowing you to experiment and receive instant feedback.
Show steps
  • Locate online lighting and reflection challenges or exercises.
  • Set up the scene and lighting according to the challenge specifications.
  • Implement lighting and reflection techniques to meet the requirements of the exercise.
Attend a workshop on advanced lighting techniques
Expand your knowledge and learn cutting-edge techniques by attending a workshop on advanced lighting topics.
Show steps
  • Research and identify a workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
  • Register and attend the workshop.
  • Engage actively in the workshop and ask questions to enhance your understanding.
Implement Post-Processing Effects
Enhance the visual quality of your scene by implementing post-processing effects such as color correction, depth of field, and bloom using Unity's Post-Processing Stack.
Browse courses on Post-Processing
Show steps
  • Familiarize yourself with the Unity Post-Processing Stack.
  • Add post-processing effects to your scene and adjust their parameters.
  • Observe the impact of different post-processing effects on the overall look of the scene.
  • Iterate and refine your post-processing settings to achieve the desired visual style.
Design a Realistic Kitchen Lighting Setup
Enhance your scene by creating a detailed lighting setup for a kitchen environment. Consider factors such as ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting to create a realistic and immersive atmosphere.
Show steps
  • Research different lighting techniques for kitchen environments.
  • Plan the placement of lights in the scene, considering the natural flow of light and shadows.
  • Experiment with different light settings and intensities to achieve the desired ambiance.
  • Showcase your final lighting setup in a portfolio or online platform.

Career center

Learners who complete Lighting, Reflection, and Post Processing Effects will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
3D Lighting Artist
3D Lighting Artists specialize in creating the lighting for 3D scenes. They use their knowledge of lighting techniques and post-processing effects to create realistic and visually appealing scenes. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a 3D Lighting Artist, including how to use lighting to create atmosphere, mood, and drama in your scenes.
Post-Processing Engineer
Post-Processing Engineers use their knowledge of image processing and computer graphics to improve the quality of images and videos. They work on a variety of projects, including developing new post-processing techniques, optimizing existing techniques, and creating custom post-processing pipelines. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Post-Processing Engineer, including how to use post-processing effects to enhance the realism and visual appeal of your images and videos.
Unity Developer
Unity Developers use their knowledge of the Unity game engine to create video games and other interactive experiences. They work on a variety of projects, including developing new games, optimizing existing games, and creating custom game engines. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Unity Developer, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to enhance the realism and visual appeal of your games.
Shader Programmer
Shader Programmers use their knowledge of computer graphics and programming to create shaders for 3D graphics. Shaders are used to control the appearance of 3D objects, including their lighting, texturing, and shading. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Shader Programmer, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to create realistic and visually appealing shaders.
3D Environment Artist
3D Environment Artists create the virtual worlds that players explore in video games. They use their knowledge of 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting to create realistic and immersive environments. This course can help you develop the skills you need to create stunning 3D environments, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to enhance the realism and atmosphere of your scenes.
Visual Effects Artist
Visual Effects Artists create the visual effects for movies, TV shows, and video games. They use their knowledge of computer graphics and animation to create realistic and visually appealing effects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Visual Effects Artist, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to create realistic and visually appealing effects.
Game Artist
Game Artists create the art assets for video games, including characters, environments, and props. They use their knowledge of 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting to create realistic and immersive game worlds. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Game Artist, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to enhance the realism and atmosphere of your game worlds.
3D Technical Artist
3D Technical Artists use their knowledge of 3D modeling, animation, and programming to create the technical aspects of 3D scenes. They work closely with engineers and programmers to ensure that the 3D scenes are optimized for performance and compatibility. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a 3D Technical Artist, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to optimize the performance of your scenes.
Technical Artist
Technical Artists use their knowledge of art and programming to create the technical aspects of video games, movies, and other digital media. They work closely with engineers and programmers to ensure that the art assets are optimized for performance and compatibility. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Technical Artist, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to optimize the performance of your art assets.
Texture Artist
Texture Artists create the textures that are used on 3D models. They use their knowledge of art and computer graphics to create realistic and detailed textures. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Texture Artist, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to enhance the realism and detail of your textures.
3D Modeler
3D Modelers create the 3D models that are used in video games, movies, and other digital media. They use their knowledge of 3D modeling software to create realistic and detailed models. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a 3D Modeler, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to enhance the realism and detail of your models.
Multimedia Artist
Multimedia Artists create digital content for a variety of media, including video games, movies, and websites. They use their knowledge of 3D modeling, animation, and programming to create interactive and engaging content. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Multimedia Artist, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to enhance the realism and appeal of your content.
3D Animator
3D Animators use their knowledge of 3D modeling, animation, and lighting to bring characters and environments to life in video games, movies, and other digital media. This course can help you build a foundation in lighting and post-processing effects, which are essential skills for creating realistic and immersive 3D animations.
Lighting Technician
Lighting Technicians design and implement lighting systems for stage, film, and television productions. They use their knowledge of lighting techniques and equipment to create the desired lighting effects. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Lighting Technician, including how to use lighting to create atmosphere, mood, and drama in your productions.
Concept Artist
Concept Artists create the initial sketches and designs for video games, movies, and other digital media. They work closely with the game designers and directors to develop the look and feel of the game or movie. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Concept Artist, including how to use lighting and post-processing effects to create visually appealing and inspiring concept art.

Reading list

We've selected seven 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 Lighting, Reflection, and Post Processing Effects.
Comprehensive reference on real-time rendering techniques, including lighting, shading, and post-processing effects. It provides a deep understanding of the underlying algorithms and technologies used in Unity.
Provides a comprehensive overview of physically based rendering techniques, which are essential for creating realistic lighting effects in Unity. It covers the theory behind these techniques, as well as practical implementation tips.
Classic reference on the topic of reflections in computer graphics. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basic theory of reflection to advanced techniques for creating realistic reflections in real-time.
Comprehensive textbook on computer graphics, covering a wide range of topics from the fundamentals to advanced techniques. It includes chapters on lighting, shading, and rendering, which can provide a deeper understanding of these concepts in Unity.
Provides a comprehensive overview of game development in Unity, including a chapter on lighting and visual effects.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the Rust programming language, which can be useful for understanding the underlying principles of the Unity engine.

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