Use Edit > Open help browser at startup to control whether this page appears when Houdini starts up.
Online help
| User interface intro | A quick overview of the Houdini user interface. |
| Houdini basics | The online help chapter on working with Houdini |
| Hotkeys quick reference | A quick reference of the most useful Houdini hot keys. |
| Example files | A list of the example files included with Houdini. |
| Shelf help | The online help chapter explaining the default tools in the shelf. |
| Node help | The online help chapter explaining each node in Houdini. |
| What’s new | What’s new in this version of Houdini. |
| Maya to Houdini transition guide | Learn the basic differences between user interface concepts, terms, and hotkeys in the two packages. |
On the web
| Learning roadmap | This page on the Side Effects Software Inc. website links to all the various resources available for learning Houdini. |
| Video tutorials | These videos go beyond the introductory videos to show more complex techniques. |
| Houdini training | Information about Houdini classes and training schedules. |
| Learning materials | Information about purchasing books, DVDs, and other learning materials. |
| Apprentice blog | A blog with information for new Houdini users. |
| Old school blog | A blog with information for the hardcore Houdini veteran, and those who want to become one. |
Tutorial Videos
These videos are available on the Side Effects Software website.
 | Introduction to the Houdini UI Take a quick tour of the Houdini UI while working through a simple project. |
 | Working with panes and viewports Houdini’s workspace is laid out into different panes. In this lesson, you learn how to setup, organize and work with panes, how to work with the new Pane tab capability, and how to flip and stow panes. |
 | Working with curves and surfaces This lesson focuses on a few examples where you create a surface by drawing one or more curves then apply a modeling tool to create the surface. |
 | Learn about Houdini’s viewing tools and object display options. |
 | Learn how to use selection modes to manipulate objects, geometry, particles, and dynamics. |
 | Polygon modeling with subvision rendering Model a simple polygonal spoon using box-up/proxy modeling, and render it as a subdivision surface. |
 | Learn how you can apply Houdini’s procedural node-based approach in any workflow or pipeline. |