Bismuth Crystals are a really interesting area to study. The [https://jungler.tv/directors/xk-studio/PROTECT%20-%20XK%20STUDIO] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridescence iridescent colors] are very nice to look at and create an almost alien or p
This was my attempt trying to recreate the foam techniques from [https://xk.studio/XKR_002-PROTECT the amazing PROTECT project from XK Studio].
[https://twitter.com/xk_studio/status/1575807058355445760/video/1 XK Studio BTS ]
For more insight in to their process and development, take a look at their video here: [https://twitter.com/xk_studio/status/1575807058355445760/video/1 XK Studio BTS]
== Stream Summary ==
The [https://autodesk.github.io/standard-surface/#closures/metal Standard Surface] model implemented in Karma and MaterialX has a thin film model for metallic reflections, which can create these rainbow-like iridescence effects.
I wanted to try out the thin film model and initially test it on a shaderball to get a sense of how the settings and parameters work.
Below are some of my results while testing and iterating on simulation settings.
After experimenting with the shader, I procedurally model a simple maze-like geometric form using the path finding node in Houdini. This form is then instanced to a point cloud to create the repetitive fractal-like form, similar to Bismuth crystals.
[[File:2022_11_15_foam_settings_flbk.gif| 960px]]
Below is the final render with some animation applied to the geometry as well as the lights ⤵
[[File:2022_09_16_mtlx_metal_spin.gif | 960px]]
Karma viewport example tumbling around the scene ⤵
I also suggest taking a look at [https://www.brunomilitelli.com/portfolio/bismuto Bruno Militelli's Bismuth photographs]
You can also [https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/bismuth-e95f85960c5344d2857ef948ad103e20 find some 3d models of Bismuth on Sketchfab] which can be downloaded and imported into Houdini to test shaders on.
The [https://www.sidefx.com/docs/houdini/nodes/sop/findshortestpath.html Find Shortest Path node] can be used not only for finding the shortest path between two points, but can be used to create complex, interesting path networks.
This file contains the example animation above, and shows a few different ways the node can be used: [[:File:2022_09_16_find_shortest_path_examples.hiplc | 2022_09_16_find_shortest_path_examples.hiplc]]
