In this Blender tutorial, Tom recreates a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles as depicted in Fallout.

You’ll learn how to use the GIS plugin to set up your cityscape, how to import VDB assets, and how to create realistic volumetric effects and textures in Blender.

Watch the full tutorial:

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• Free VDB Shader from ActionVFX: Download Here
• 3D Nuclear Explosion Assets from ActionVFX: Download Here
• A basic understanding of Blender's interface and tools.

Step 1: How to Set Up Your VDB Shader

• Open Blender and load the free VDB shader you downloaded.
• Use Ctrl + O to open the shader file.
• Extract the files from the .zip and open the .blend file.

Step 2: Setting Up the Scene

Creating the Environment

• Decide on your environment. For this tutorial, we'll use a cityscape inspired by the show Fallout.
• Install the Blender GIS plugin:
• Go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Install.
• Locate the GIS plugin .zip file, install, and enable it.
• Close the Preferences window and access the GIS tab in the 3D Viewport by pressing N.

Importing Map Data

• In the GIS tab, select Web geodata > Import OSM.
• Search for the desired location or use coordinates to pinpoint your area.
• Extract the area into a plane and obtain the elevation data using the Get Elevation option.
• Import buildings using GIS > Basemap > Get OSM. Ensure elevate from object is enabled.

Step 3: Texturing the Scene

• Download a seamless glass building texture from Textures.com.
• In Blender, open new windows for the UV Editor and Shader Editor.
• Create a new texture and name it Glass.
• In the Shader Editor, add an Image Texture, load your texture, and link it to the base color.

Use UV Mapping to apply the texture:

• Enter side view (NumPad 3 or NumPad 1).
• Select buildings and enter Edit Mode (Tab).
• Unwrap UVs (U) and adjust the texture in the UV Editor.

Step 4: Adding HDRI Lighting

Add an HDRI environment for realistic lighting:

• Go to the World tab in the Properties panel.
• Click Color > Environment Texture and load your HDRI file.
• Adjust the lighting to enhance the overall scene.

Step 5: Importing and Positioning the Explosion

Import the VDB explosion asset:

• Go to File > Import > Volume and select your VDB file.

Position the explosion in your scene:

• Scale it appropriately using S and move it with G.
• Adjust the shader settings to match your scene's lighting.

Step 6: Final Adjustments and Rendering

• Fine-tune the position and scale of your explosion.

Set up your camera for the best shot:

• Align the camera to your view (Ctrl + Alt + NumPad 0).
• Adjust the view clipping if necessary.
• Render your scene (F12).

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