This VFX was built using Niagara Fluids in Unreal Engine 5, focusing on simulating a volumetric smoke portal with a layered system of particle-driven interactions and grid sampling. The setup uses a 3D Grid Gas Solver to simulate fluid dynamics with custom emitter input and vortex interaction.

The system is composed of:

- A core fluid simulation using the Grid3D_Gas_Master template, solving divergence, pressure, and advection velocity across a 3D volume.
- Particle-based vortex emitters that apply directional force and drag, pushing fluid motion into a swirling shape while remaining responsive to initial velocity and grid resolution.
- Secondary support particles with reduced density to give shape variation and add depth without oversaturating the fluid field.
- Sampling behavior from particle emitters into the fluid grid, allowing emission zones to inherit velocity and placement logic from a Niagara emitter.
- Real-time collision sampling with geometry (such as the floor) to create grounded interactions and prevent volumetric clipping.
- Tuned lighting and density values for relighting support, ensuring the volume integrates naturally with baked or dynamic lighting systems.

This effect was built as part of a technical study following the Niagara Fluids course by RedefineFX - https://redefinefx.com/blast/ - The environment shown is from the Gothic Interior Megapack by Meshingun Studio, used purely for compositional purposes. All Niagara work and system logic were built from scratch based on the course structure and extended with custom emitters and vector field adjustments.