Houdini 11 Nodes

Dynamics nodes set up the conditions and rules for dynamics simulations.

Node flags

Inputs and outputs

A dynamics node may have an object input (gray), data inputs (green), or both (see objects and data ). You should connect like to like (gray to gray and green to green).

A dynamics node can have an object output, or a data output. Some nodes will switch their output type based on what inputs are connected. This allows the more convenient method of connecting nodes “inline” instead of using Apply Data nodes (see objects and data).

Display flag

When Houdini runs the simulation, it cooks the network up from the node with the display flag to establish relationships between objects and data. So, nodes connected after the node with the display flag have no effect on the simulation.

Bypass flag

When the bypass flag is on, this node has no effect.

Nodes

Active ValueMarks a simulation object as active or passive.
AffectorCreates affector relationships between groups of objects.
Anchor: Align AxisDefines an orientation that aligns an axis in object space with a second axis defined by the relative locations of two positional anchors.
Anchor: Object Point Group Position
Anchor: Object Point Group Rotation
Anchor: Object Point Id Position
Anchor: Object Point Id Rotation
Anchor: Object Point Number Position
Anchor: Object Point Number Rotation
Anchor: Object Primitive Position
Anchor: Object Space Position
Anchor: Object Space Rotation
Anchor: World Space Position
Anchor: World Space Rotation
Apply DataAttaches data to simulation objects or other data.
Apply RelationshipCreates relationships between simulation objects.
Blend Factor
Blend Solver
Buoyancy ForceApplies a uniform force to objects submerged in a fluid.
Cloth Collision PropertiesDefines how a cloth object responds to collisions.
Cloth Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Cloth Objects to an object.
Cloth Drag PropertiesDefines how the surrounding medium affects a cloth object.
Cloth MaterialDefines the physical material for a deformable surface.
Cloth Material BehaviorDefines the internal cloth forces.
Cloth ObjectCreates a Cloth Object from SOP Geometry.
Cloth Physical ParametersDefines the physical parameters of a cloth object.
Cloth SolverSets and configures a Cloth solver.
Cloth Visualization
Cloth/Volume ColliderDefines a way of resolving collisions involving a cloth object and DOPs objects with volumetric representations (RBD Objects, ground planes, etc.)
Collide Relationship
Collider Label
Constraint
Constraint Relationship
Container
Copy DataCreates multiple copies of the input data.
Copy Data SolverSets and configures a Copy Data Solver.
Copy Object InformationMimics the information set by the Copy Object DOP.
Copy Objects
DeleteDeletes both objects and data according to patterns.
Drag ForceApplies force and torque to objects that resists their current direction of motion.
Empty DataCreates an Empty Data for holding custom information.
Empty ObjectCreates an Empty Object.
Empty Relationship
Enable Solver
FLIP Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Particle Fluid Objects to become a FLIP based fluid.
FLIP SolverEvolves an object as a FLIP fluid object.
Fan ForceApplies forces on the objects as if a cone-shaped fan were acting on them.
Fetch DataFetches a piece of data from a simulation object.
Field ForceApplies forces to an object using some piece of geometry as a vector field.
FileSaves and loads simulation objects to external files.
File Data
Fluid Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Fluid Objects to an object.
Fluid ForceApplies forces to resist the current motion of soft body objects relative to a fluid.
Fluid ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Fluid Objects to an object.
Fluid SolverSets and configures a Fluid solver.
Gas Adjust Coordinate SystemA microsolver that adjusts an internal coordinate system attached to fluid particles in a particle fluid simulation.
Gas Adjust ElasticityA microsolver that adjusts the strength of elastic bonds between pairs of particles in a fluid simulation.
Gas AdvectA microsolver that advects fields and geometry by a velocity field.
Gas Advect FieldA microsolver that advects fields and geometry by a velocity field.
Gas AnalysisA microsolver that computes analytic property of fields.
Gas Blend DensityA microsolver that blends the density of two fields.
Gas BlurA microsolver that blurs fields.
Gas Build Collision MaskA microsolver that determines the collision field between the fluid field and any affector objects.
Gas Build Relationship MaskA microsolver that builds a mask for each voxel to show the presence or absence of relationships between objects.
Gas BuoyancyA microsolver that calculates an adhoc buoyancy force and updates a velocity field.
Gas Burn GeometrySets the object to use the Gas Burn solver.
Gas Burn Geometry ObjectCreates an object with appropriate data to use as a fire source.
Gas CalculateA microsolver that performs general calculations on a pair of fields.
Gas CombustionA microsolver that applies a combustion model to the simulation.
Gas Compute Particle AttributesA microsolver that calculates particle fluid attribute values for each particle in a particle fluid field.
Gas Correct By MarkersA microsolver that adjusts an SDF according to surface markers.
Gas CrossA microsolver that computes the cross product of two vector fields.
Gas DSDA microsolver that applies one round detontation shock dyanamics.
Gas DSD Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Smoke Objects to become a flame front based fire.
Gas DSD SolverA microsolver that applies the flamefront-based fire simulation.
Gas DiffuseA microsolver that diffuses a field or point attribute.
Gas DissipateA microsolver that dissipates a field.
Gas Each Data SolverA microsolver that runs once for each matching data.
Gas ElasticityA microsolver that computes pairwise elastic forces between particles in a fluid simulation.
Gas Embed FluidA microsolver that embeds one fluid inside another.
Gas Enforce BoundaryA microsolver that enforces boundary conditions on a field.
Gas Equalize DensityA microsolver that equalizes the density of two fields.
Gas Equalize VolumeA microsolver that equalizes the volume of two fields.
Gas External ForcesA microsolver that evaluates the external DOPs forces for each point in a velocity field and updates the velocity field accordingly.
Gas ExtrapolateA microsolver that extrapolates a field’s value along an SDF.
Gas Feather FieldA microsolver that creates a feathered mask out of a field.
Gas FeedbackA microsolver that calculates and applies feedback forces to collision geometry.
Gas Fetch Fields to EmbedA data node that fetches the fields needed to embed one fluid in another.
Gas Field VopRuns CVEX on a set of fields.
Gas Field to ParticleA microsolver that copies the values of a field into a point attribute on geometry.
Gas Geometry To SDFA microsolver that creates a signed distance field out of geometry.
Gas IntegratorA microsolver that applies forces to a particle fluid system.
Gas Intermittent SolveA microsolver that solves its subsolvers at a regular interval.
Gas LookupA microsolver that looksup field values according to a position field.
Gas Match FieldA microsolver that rebuilds fields to match in size and resolution to a reference field.
Gas Net Fetch DataA microsolver that arbitrary simulation data between multiple machines.
Gas Net Field Border ExchangeA microsolver that exchanges boundary data between multiple machines.
Gas Net Slice BalanceA microsolver that balances slices data between multiple machines.
Gas Net Slice ExchangeA microsolver that exchanges boundary data between multiple machines.
Gas Particle ForcesA microsolver that computes pairwise collision forces between particles that represent instanced spheres.
Gas Particle Move To IsoA microsolver that moves particles to lie along a certain isosurface of an SDF.
Gas Particle Neighbour UpdateUpdates a neighbourhood list for Geometry to match moved points.
Gas Particle PressureA microsolver that computes pairwise fluid pressure forces between particles in a fluid simulation.
Gas Particle SeparateA microsolver that separates adjacent particles by adjusting their point positions..
Gas Particle To FieldA microsolver that copies a particle system’s point attribute into a field.
Gas Particle To SDFA microsolver that converts a particle system into a signed distance field.
Gas Project Non DivergentA microsolver that removes the divergent components of a velocity field.
Gas ReduceA microsolver that reduces a field to a single constant field .
Gas Reduce LocalA microsolver that reduces surrounding voxels to a single value.
Gas Reinitialize SDFA microsolver that reinitializes a signed distance field while preserving the zero isocontour.
Gas Resize FieldA microsolver that changes the size of fields.
Gas Resize FluidA microsolver that resizes a fluid to match another object.
Gas RestA microsolver that initializes a rest field.
Gas SPH DensityA microsolver that calculates the density at particle positions in a particle field using techniques from Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics.
Gas SPH ForcesA microsolver that uses techniques from Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics to compute pressure, viscosity and surface tension forces acting between particles in a fluid simulation.
Gas Sand ForcesA microsolver that computes the forces to treat the fluid simulation as sand rather than fluid.
Gas Seed MarkersA microsolver that seeds marker particles around the boundary of a surface.
Gas Seed ParticlesA microsolver that seeds particles uniformly inside a surface.
Gas Strain ForcesA microsolver that calculates the forces imparted by a strain field.
Gas Strain IntegrateA microsolver that updates the strain field according to the current velocity field.
Gas SubStepA microsolver that substeps input microsolvers.
Gas Surface SnapA microsolver that snaps a surface onto a collision surface.
Gas Surface TensionA microsolver that calculates a surface tension force proportional to the curvature of the surface field.
Gas Target ForceA microsolver that applies a force towards a target object.
Gas Up ResUpscales a smoke simulation to a higher resolution by adding turbulence.
Gas Upres ObjectCreates an Gas Upres Object from a low resolution fluid sim.
Gas Velocity StretchA microsolver that reorients geometry according to motion of a velocity field.
Gas Volume RampRemaps a field according to a ramp.
Gas Vortex ConfinementApplies a vortex confinement force to a velocity field.
Gas Vorticle ForcesA microsolver that applies forces to a velocity field or geometry according to vorticle geometry.
Gas Vorticle GeometryA DOP node that adds the appropriately formatted data to represent vorticles.
Gas Vorticle RecycleA DOP node that recycles vorticles by moving them to the opposite side of the fluid box when they leave.
Gas WaveletsA microsolver that performs a wavelet decomposition of a field.
Geometry Copy
Gravity ForceApplies a gravity-like force to objects.
Ground PlaneCreates a ground plane suitable for RBD or cloth simulations.
GroupCreates simulation object groups.
Group Relationship
Hard Constraint RelationshipDefines a constraint relationship that must always be satisfied.
Impulse ForceApplies an impulse to an object.
Index FieldCreates an index field.
Index Field VisualizationVisualizes an index field.
Instanced ObjectCreates DOP Objects according to instance attributes
Intangible ValueMarks a simulation object as intangible or tangible.
Link to Source ObjectStores the name of the scene level object source for this DOP object.
Magnet ForceApply forces on objects using a force field defined by metaballs.
Mask Field
Matrix FieldCreates a matrix field.
Matrix Field VisualizationVisualizes a matrix field.
MergeMerges multiple streams of objects or data into a single stream.
Modify DataModifies or creates options on arbitrary data.
MotionDefines an object’s position, orientation, linear velocity, and angular velocity.
Multiple Solver
Net Fetch DataA DOP that transfers arbitrary simulation data between multiple machines.
No Collider
No Constraint Relationship
Noise Field
NullDoes nothing.
OBJ PositionCreates position information from an object’s transform.
ODE Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for ODE Objects to an object.
ODE SolverSets and configures an ODE Dynamics solver.
POP ObjectConverts a regular particle system into a dynamic object capable of interacting correctly with other objects in the DOP environment.
POP Shape MatchDefines the parameters to be used to match a particle system with a target shape.
POP Solver
Particle Fluid Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Particle Fluid Objects to an object.
Particle Fluid EmitterEmits fluid in a particle fluid simulation.
Particle Fluid ObjectCreates a Particle Fluid Object from SOP Geometry.
Particle Fluid SinkRemoves fluid particles that flow inside of a specified boundary from a simulation.
Particle Fluid SolverEvolves an object as a particle fluid object.
Particle Fluid VisualizationVisualizes particles.
PartitionCreates simulation object groups based on an expression.
Physical ParametersDefines the base physical parameters of DOP objects.
Point Collider
Point ForceApplies a force to an object from a particular location in space.
PositionAssociates a position and orientation to an object.
Position From PointCreates position information from a point on some SOP geometry.
Pump Relationship
Pyro SolverSets and configures a Pyro solver.
RBD Angular ConstraintConstrains an RBD object to a certain orientation.
RBD Angular Spring ConstraintConstrains an RBD object to have a certain orientation, but with a set amount of springiness.
RBD Auto FreezeAutomatically freezes RBD Objects that have come to rest
RBD Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for RBD Objects to an object.
RBD Fractured ObjectCreates a number of RBD Objects from SOP Geometry. These individual RBD Objects are created from the geometry primitive groups.
RBD Glue ObjectCreates a number of RBD Objects from SOP Geometry. These individual RBD Objects are created from the geometry primitive groups, and are glued to each other.
RBD Hinge ConstraintConstrains an object to two constraints, creating a rotation similar to a hinge or a trapeze bar.
RBD Keyframe Active
RBD ObjectCreates an RBD Object from SOP Geometry.
RBD Pin ConstraintConstrains an RBD object a certain distance from the constraint.
RBD Point ObjectCreates a simulation object at each point of some source geometry, similarly to how the Copy surface node copies geometry onto points.
RBD SolverSets and configures a Rigid Body Dynamics solver.
RBD Spring ConstraintConstrains an object to remain a certain distance from the constraint, with a set amount of springiness.
RBD StateAlters the state information for an RBD Object.
RBD Visualization
Reference Frame ForceApplies forces to an object according to the difference between two reference frames.
Rendering Parameters
Rendering Parameters Volatile
Rigid Body SolverSets and configures a Rigid Body Dynamics solver.
Ripple Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Ripple Objects to an object.
Ripple ObjectCreates an object from existing geometry that will be deformed with the ripple solver.
Ripple SolverAnimates wave propagation across Ripple Objects.
SDF RepresentationCreates a signed distance field representation of a piece of geometry that can be used for collision detection.
SOP Geometry
SOP Scalar FieldCreates a scalar field from a SOP Volume.
SOP Solver
SOP Vector FieldCreates a vector field from a SOP Volume Primitive.
Sand Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Sand Objects to an object.
Sand ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Sand Objects to an object.
Sand SolverSets and configures a Sand solver.
Scalar FieldCreates a scalar field.
Scalar Field VisualizationVisualizes a scalar field.
Script Solver
Sink Relationship
Slice Along LineDivides a particle system uniformly into multiple slices along a line.
Slice by PlaneSpecifies a cutting plane to divide a particle system into two slices for distributed simulations.
Smoke Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Smoke Objects to an object.
Smoke ObjectCreates an Smoke Object from SOP Geometry.
Smoke SolverSets and configures a Smoke solver.
Soft Body (SBD) Pin ConstraintConstrains a point on a soft body object to a certain position.
Soft Body (SBD) Spring ConstraintConstrains a point on a soft body to a certain position, with a set amount of springiness.
Source ApplyTurns objects into a source for a fluid sim.
Source Relationship
Sphere Edge TreeThis builds a tree of spheres producing bounding information for an edge cloud.
Sphere Point TreeThis builds a tree of spheres producing bounding information for a point cloud.
Split ObjectSplits an incoming object stream into as many as four output streams.
Spring Constraint Relationship
Squishy ObjectThe Squishy Object DOP converts a geometry object into a dynamic object that behaves like a soft body in the DOP environment.
Static ObjectCreates a Static Object from SOP Geometry.
Static Solver
Subnetwork
SwitchPasses one of the input object or data streams to the output.
Switch Solver
Switch Value
Target Relationship
Terrain ObjectCreates a Terrain Object from SOP Geometry.
Thin Plate/Thin Plate ColliderDefines a way of resolving collisions between two rigid bodies.
Two State Constraint Relationship
Uniform ForceApplies a uniform force and torque to objects.
VOP ForceApplies forces on the objects according to a VOP network.
Vector FieldCreates a vector field.
Vector Field VisualizationVisualizes a vector field.
Velocity Impulse ForceApplies an impulse to an object.
Volume/Volume ColliderDefines a way of resolving collisions involving two rigid bodies with volume.
Voronoi Fracture Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data to make an object fractureable by the Voronoi Fracture Solver
Voronoi Fracture ParametersDefines the parameters for dynamic fracturing using the Voronoi Fracture Solver
Voronoi Fracture SolverDynamically fractures objects based on data from the Voronoi Fracture Configure Object DOP
Vortex ForceApplies a vortex-like force on objects, causing them to orbit about an axis along a circular path.
Wind ForceApplies forces to resist the current motion of objects relative to a turbulent wind.
Wire Angular ConstraintConstrains a wire point’s orientation to a certain direction.
Wire Angular Spring ConstraintConstrains a wire point’s orientation to a certain direction, with a set amount of springiness.
Wire Configure ObjectAttaches the appropriate data for Wire Objects to an object.
Wire ElasticityDefines the elasticity of a wire object.
Wire Glue ConstraintConstraints a wire point to a certain position and direction.
Wire ObjectCreates a Wire Object from SOP Geometry.
Wire Physical ParametersDefines the physical parameters of a wire object.
Wire PlasticityDefines the plasticity of a wire object.
Wire SolverSets and configures a Wire solver.
Wire Visualization
Wire/Volume ColliderDefines a way of resolving collisions involving a wire object and DOPs objects with volumetric representations.
Wire/Wire ColliderDefines a way of resolving collisions between two wires.