Toxic Splash - GamePlay Effect for UE4&UE5

I developed a gameplay effect using vertex animation textures, decals, and small splashes that interact with surfaces by capturing the surface normals in world, allowing them to spread naturally upon collision. The primary visual goal was to create an effect that performs well in both bright and dark environments, ensuring it remains vibrant without appearing overexposed or flat visual, regardless of lighting conditions.

Static Preview ToxicSplash

Video Preview Toxic Splash

Full video with experiments - ToxicSplash

1. Used LiquiGen to generate Vertex Animation Textures (VAT)

2. Imported the Alembic file into Blender and optimized the mesh to retain animation quality while significantly reducing vertex count for improved performance

3.1. Integrated VAT into Niagara, using Houdini (SideFX) to extract static geometry and three textures for use in the material

3.1. Adjusted Vertex Animation Textures (VAT) resolution in UE

4. Adjusted color settings to achieve the desired result, with control over both color and animation speed accessible within Niagara

5. Scripted Acid splashes from droplets to capture surface normals on impact, allowing them to spread naturally on collision

Animated Geometry Result in UE

Shader Complexity - Demonstrates the complete effect

Some tests with RenderDoc