Top 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using VDBs

We have the biggest collection of VDBs on the internet, so naturally over the years I have received tons of questions about how best to use them. I’ve heard it all, from questions about best practices to questions about troubleshooting VDB issues. Here are the top 5 issues I get e-mails about. Having these tips in your back pocket should solve the vast majority of possible issues when using VDBs! 

The Pixel Lab 3D VFX and VDB Assets Animated

1. Importing at the Wrong Scale

Mistake: Forgetting to match the scale of the VDB to your scene.

Why it matters: VDBs are often created in a different unit scale (like meters or centimeters). If they’re too small or too large, they won’t interact realistically with lighting or other objects. Our VDBs are almost always built in Meters, so make sure to import at that scale unit.

Tip: Always check and adjust the VDB scale on import when you see the import settings dialogue. Also, VDBs don’t always respond well to scaling up. It’s better to import them at their correct scale, and then build your scene around that scale!

Quick Tips Using VDBs 3D Pixel Lab

2. Misusing Density Multipliers

Mistake: Cranking the density multiplier too high or too low.

Why it matters: Too high = pixelated, chunky, and slow to render. Too low = invisible.

Tip: Tweak density settings and remap sliders to balance realism and render speed. Push it too far and you will break the asset!

Quick Tips Using VDBs 3D Pixel Lab
Quick Tips Using VDBs 3D Pixel Lab

3. Overlooking Remapping Settings

Mistake: Not adjusting the remapping curve in your volume shader.

Why it matters: Your VDB might look too faint or too dense without proper remapping.

Tip: This also works with the emission remapping. It’s really important to tweak the emission of fire and explosions so they look good!

4. Poor Lighting Setup

Mistake: Lighting VDBs like regular geometry.

Why it matters: Volumes need backlighting or rim lighting to show depth and detail. Flat lighting makes them look dull and unconvincing.

Tip: Use area lights or HDRIs positioned to catch the volume’s edges and add subtle light scattering.

VDB Cloud Animated 3D VFX Asset Pack 12

5. Not Using Density/Temperature Channels Properly

Mistake: Ignoring extra data channels and not using them in the correct slots.

Why it matters: Density is the smoke, and temperature is the heat/fire. You have to make sure you plug them into the right slots or you won’t get the correct result.

Tip: You can check the information in the VDB object to see which channels are embedded in the VDB.

Quick Tips Using VDBs 3D Pixel Lab
Quick Tips Using VDBs 3D Pixel Lab
Quick Tips Using VDBs 3D Pixel Lab

Bonus: Using the incorrect frame rate

Mistake: Not changing the project settings and render settings to match the VDB frame rate.

Why it matters: The animation is baked into the VDB. It is pre-simulated and baked in at a specific frame rate. If you don’t set the frame rate of your project setting and your output render correctly, then the VDB will stutter and have duplicate frames and not be smooth.

Tip: Unless specified elsewhere, almost all of our assets are built at 24fps so use 24fps for your project settings and renders. Then it will be silky smooth!

Quick Tips Using VDBs 3D Pixel Lab

If you have any questions, just shoot me an e-mail and I can help you out! joren@thepixellab.net

VFX Elements Pixel Lab VDB 3D Bundle

We have over 3,000 VDB assets with categories like clouds, smoke, fire, explosion, nebula, dust, storm, firework, plumes, portals, and much more. Check them out!

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