Restaurant Cake| Procedural Material Still Life
Originally created in Fall 2024 for SCAD's VFX 319: Programming Shaders class, this project focused on developing photorealistic procedural textures using VEX and learning about using Karma in Houdini. In May - June 2026, I updated this project following critique from a recruiter to refine certain materials and add non-procedural details and imperfections (fingerprints, smudges, the wine bottle label).
Apart from the silverware and procedural raspberries, all models were sourced online. Textures were created with Houdini, VEX, and Substance Painter, and compositing was done in Nuke.
Breakdowns
Additional Photos
Side by side comparison of original and revised still life

Original from Nov 2024 (above) --- Revised from June 2026 (below)

VEX Snippets for wood table, copper candleholders, and napkins



