Creating a Charged Energy Beam in Unreal Engine

VFX for Cinematics Workflow using Niagara & Sequencer with Raúl Ruiz

Learn how to build a production-ready cinematic effects shot centered on a charged energy beam using Niagara and Sequencer in this workshop for intermediate Unreal Engine and real-time VFX artists. Rather than focusing on an isolated effect element, instructor Raúl Ruiz approaches VFX as part of a complete presentation shot, covering the planning, animation support, shot setup, implementation, and final polish needed to make the work read clearly on screen.

This workshop begins with the ideation and shot planning, using references, a quick storyboard, and anchor frames to define timing beats and visual intent. From there, Raúl creates a short support animation in Cascadeur, imports it into Unreal, and establishes the shot context in Sequencer through camera, composition, and lighting decisions. Before building the final systems, he shows how to use simple timing proxies to lock scale, spacing, and rhythm.The core of this workshop focuses on Niagara. Raúl builds the effect in three practical phases: charge-up, beam launch, and blast/dispersal. Along the way, he shows how to create supporting materials and textures, reveals useful controls, and explains the math behind masks, falloffs, breakup, and noise shaping. The final lesson covers how to render in Unreal Sequencer and apply a subtle After Effects polish pass to enhance the presentation without hiding the real-time work.Throughout the workshop, he shares production-oriented insights on readability, shot context, iteration control, parameterization, and making VFX decisions that serve both artistic intent and practical workflow. By completing this workshop, artists will have developed an understanding of how to plan and construct a complete Unreal VFX shot from start to finish, rather than just assembling isolated Niagara elements. 

Downloadable files include the Unreal Engine project, Niagara systems and materials, animation assets, EmberGen flipbooks, textures, and supporting scene files used during the workshop.