Chevy Snow Drifting

Houdini · VFX · Procedural FX

Role

FX / CG Artist

Platform

Commercial

Software

Houdini · Arnold

A high-end automotive commercial featuring a Chevrolet vehicle drifting through a snow-covered environment. I was responsible for all snow FX simulations in the scene, including snow traces left by animals running across the surface, snow displacement and drift caused by the vehicle, atmospheric snowfall, and snow patches throughout the environment.

Contributions

Snow Simulation & FX

Simulated snow traces left by animals running across the snow surface — capturing the physical displacement and disturbance patterns of snow under movement
Simulated a cat digging into snow — creating realistic snow displacement, scattering, and surface disturbance from the digging motion
Created snow drifting traces and displacement caused by the vehicle moving across the snow — simulating the disturbed surface and trailing drift patterns
Developed snow patch simulations across the scene environment for realistic surface coverage and variation
Built and simulated atmospheric snowfall throughout the scene to enhance environmental depth and realism

Technical Approach

Built all snow simulations procedurally in Houdini, allowing art-directable controls for timing, density, and displacement intensity
Balanced simulation accuracy with production performance constraints and delivery timelines
Collaborated with the compositing team to ensure FX integrated seamlessly with live-action footage

Technical Focus

Houdini • ProceduralFX • SimulationSnow • FXParticleSystems • VFX • Commercial Production