GMC AT4 ‘Made To Be Used’

Houdini  ·  VFX / Simulation  ·  Automotive Commercial 

Software

Houdini  · Arnold

• Smoke Drifting FX → 0:09

Smoke, Sand & Water FX (0:00–0:05)

• Simulated tire burnout smoke drifting from the GMC vehicle, capturing hot rubber smoke dispersing and trailing during aggressive acceleration
• Developed sand and dust displacement FX, simulating the scatter and suspension of particles kicked up by fast-moving tires across dry terrain
• Combined smoke and sand/dust into a layered FX system with controls for density, temperature, dissipation, and directional drift
• Balanced visual drama and realism, ensuring FX enhanced the cinematic energy of the opening without obscuring the vehicle

Water Splash Simulation

• Developed water splash FX for the vehicle driving through wet terrain, simulating the spray, scatter, and droplet behavior of water displaced by fast-moving tires
• Built the simulation in Houdini using particle system and fluid dynamics to produce realistic water behavior under the physical constraints of vehicle speed and surface contact
• Integrated with the live-action plate to ensure splash timing, scale, and perspective matched the camera and vehicle performance

Technical Approach

• Built all simulations procedurally in Houdini with art-directable controls for iteration speed under tight production deadlines
• Collaborated with compositing team to ensure FX integrated seamlessly with live-action footage across multiple shots
• Matched FX timing and scale to camera movement and vehicle performance for believable integration