Realistic Underwater Lighting - Research Project
For my Graduation Work, I was given the subject of "Realistic Underwater Lighting" and from there on, given free reign. I built up a scene with assets from the asset store (links below!) and decided to focus around a main reference picture (link below!).
With realistic underwater lighting in mind, I wanted to create something adaptable for a pleasant user experience inside of Unreal Engine, with a main focus on the caustics inside of the scene. A bit of time later and I proudly present to you the results of my hard labour, and my first venture into underwater lighting!
Credit:
Reference Image / Sculpture made by: https://www.artworksforchange.org/portfolio/jason-decaires-taylor/
Underwater decoration and vegetation provided by: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/profile/Anil+Isbilir
Cemetery piece provided by: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/profile/Dekogon%20Studios?count=20&sortBy=effectiveDate&sortDir=DESC&start=0
Final Scene
My scene vs. Reference Image - "No Turning Back" -https://www.artworksforchange.org/portfolio/jason-decaires-taylor/
Fog Density low versus high and red types of light scattering to indicate differences in settings.
Post Processing with and without colour correction, and then changes made to the underwater shader: main colour changes vs. highlight changes.
Scene-Build Up Layers
Unlit
Light Only
Detail Lighting Only
Lightmap Density
Light Complexity
Overview of other.
Scene compiled gif
Progress Build Up