CFX Artist

Job Description:

CFX Artist
As a CFX Artist, you will act as the bridge between the animation and FX departments, ensuring high-quality character and creature deformations, simulations, and final rigged outputs. You'll be responsible for preparing assets for simulation and shot work, solving motion issues, and integrating cloth, hair, muscle, and skin simulations into the final renders. This role requires a strong balance of artistic sensibility and technical know-how.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and maintain character and creature assets for animation and FX simulation. Work with the Model department to ensure that the geometry being simulated meets Technical Animation needs
• Apply cloth, hair, muscle, and flesh simulations using proprietary or industry-standard tools.
• Collaborate with animators to clean up motion and deformation artifacts.
• Work closely with rigging, animation, and FX teams to ensure proper handoff and continuity.
• Troubleshoot and solve technical issues in character/creature performances.
• Optimize simulation workflows and develop tools/scripts as needed to improve efficiency.
• Ensure assets meet both visual and technical requirements of the production pipeline.
• Contribute to the development and documentation of best practices and workflows.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in a similar role in the VFX industry.
• Good working knowledge in a production environment with Maya, Houdini, Nuke.
• Solid understanding of character rigging, deformation, and dynamics.
• Experience with cloth, muscle, and soft body simulations (e.g., nCloth, nHair, Marvelous Designer, Ziva, etc.).
• Strong Python and/or MEL scripting skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail. 
• Work with the technical teams to document and maintain libraries for rigging & tools.
• Understanding physics and natural phenomena.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with muscle systems (e.g., Ziva Dynamics, Houdini FEM).
• Knowledge of real-time engines like Unreal Engine for Tech Anim workflows.
• C++ knowledge or plugin/tool development experience.
• Background in anatomy and biomechanics for believable creature/character movement.