“Sand, Light, and Holograms: Image Engine’s VFX in Dune: Prophecy” by Culpitt, Rucker, Vallecilla, Kennedy and Bigaj
Conference:
Type(s):
Title:
- Sand, Light, and Holograms: Image Engine’s VFX in Dune: Prophecy
Session/Category Title:
- Sand, Light, and Holograms: Image Engine’s VFX in Dune: Prophecy
Presenter(s)/Author(s):
Abstract:
Enter the world of Dune: Prophecy and discover how Image Engine helped bring this iconic universe to life through visual effects. In this session, Image Engine shares how a concept-first approach, streamlined workflows, and technical problem-solving allowed us to deliver some of the series’ most ambitious sequences, ranging from the vast genetic memory library inside a Thinking Machine to massive sand simulations featuring the legendary sandworm. We’ll break down how our pipeline enabled scalable, collaborative solutions for complex challenges across departments. From the intricacies of animation-driven holograms to the technical demands of simulating cascading sand, attendees will walk away with valuable insights and practical takeaways they can apply to their own work. Key topics include: Concept-Driven Approach: How we used early concept art and reference studies to align creative vision with the client, gaining buy-in before production began. Streamlined Pipeline: See how our FX library card swap pipeline, batchable templates, and attribute-driven setups helped smaller teams work more efficiently without sacrificing quality. Genetic Library: Explore the design and lighting of Anirul, the vast genetic archive, as well as how our custom tools allowed animation to drive holographic FX that lit the scene and reflected in real time. Large-Scale Environment FX: Learn how we handled desert and storm simulations at scale, including tricks to manage heavy particle FX while maintaining art direction. Holograms: Get a look at how we built the complex, multi-camera holographic war table, featuring hundreds of procedurally generated projectors and lights, and aligned outputs across departments for seamless integration. Whether you’re a student, generalist, or pipeline developer, this talk offers an approachable, behind-the-scenes look at how Image Engine tackled complex sequences through early concept alignment, creative problem solving, and efficient pipeline design.
