vfx-fx

Name: vfx-fx
Author: arjun988/blender-skills

$npx mdskill add arjun988/blender-skills/vfx-fx

Creates cinematic and game VFX in Blender using simulations and Geometry Nodes.

Generates smoke, fire, particles, trails, and magic effects for Blender scenes.
Uses Mantaflow, particle systems, and Geometry Nodes for effect generation.
Selects approach based on target: game real-time, cinematic, or hybrid.
Delivers cached simulations, rendered frames, or exportable meshes and flipbooks.

SKILL.md

.github/skills/vfx-fxView on GitHub ↗

---
name: vfx-fx
description: Cinematic and game VFX in Blender including smoke, fire, particles, trails, and Geometry Nodes FX setups via MCP.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: https://github.com/arjun988
  version: "1.0.0"
  domain: blender
  role: specialist
  triggers: VFX, FX, smoke, fire, explosion, particles, sparks, trails, muzzle flash, magic effect, geometry nodes FX
  related-skills: geometry-nodes, physics-sim, materials, lighting, rendering, compositing
---

# VFX / FX

Readable effects. Controlled simulation domains. Game sprites vs cinematic volumes.

## When to Use

- Smoke, fire, dust, sparks, debris
- Magic / sci-fi energy FX
- Muzzle flashes, trails, impacts
- Geometry Nodes driven particle systems

## Path Decision

```
Game real-time → Meshes/cards/ribbons + emissive mats (+ GN)
Cinematic     → Mantaflow / particles / GN → render → comp
Hybrid        → Sim in Blender → bake flipbooks/meshes for engine
```

## Workflow

```
Brief (silhouette + timing) → Proxy emitter → Sim/GN prototype
  → Art-direct motion → Materials/lights → Cache → Render/comp or export
```

## Effect Types

| Type | Blender Approach |
|------|------------------|
| Smoke/fire | Mantaflow domain + flow; keep domain tight |
| Sparks | Particle Newtonian + collision + trail |
| Debris | Rigid body shards (`physics-sim`) |
| Magic ribbons | Curves / GN extrude + emissive |
| Dust hit | Short particle burst + soft sprites |

## Domain Rules (Volume)

- Domain only as large as needed
- Resolution from low → high after motion approved
- Open borders intentionally; avoid wasted empty voxels
- Collection: `COL_FX_[Shot]`

## Naming

- Emitters: `FX_Emit_[Name]`
- Domains: `FX_Domain_[Name]`
- Caches: document frame range in brief

## Game Export Notes

- Prefer mesh cards / GN instances over volume export
- Atlas flipbooks when baking fire/smoke for engines
- Keep pivot at logical spawn point

## Constraints

### MUST DO
- Approve motion at low res before high-res sim
- Light FX intentionally (emissive + key)
- Cache before final render

### MUST NOT DO
- Huge empty domains
- Unbounded particle counts
- Skip timing brief (start/peak/end frames)

## Reference Guide

| Topic | Reference | Load When |
|-------|-----------|----------|
| Fx Timing Brief | `references/fx-timing-brief.md` | When needed |
| Volume Domain Rules | `references/volume-domain-rules.md` | When needed |
| Game Fx Export | `references/game-fx-export.md` | When needed |

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