Update Dec 1: Contest Now Closed! Thanks for all the great Feedback!

Nov 13, 2008- Side Effects is pleased to announce a draw for a copy of Houdini Master which is open to anyone who downloads Houdini Apprentice and sends us their feedback. This contest was initially launched two weeks ago by Kim Davidson. Lots of entries have been received so far and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Many artists are finding out how Houdini is much easier than they had ever imagined. And with a wealth of Learning materials to choose from, there has never been a better time to start exploring Houdini's 3D animation and visual effects tools!

To enter the draw, download Houdini Apprentice and start learning how it works. Next, send your first impressions and an image or scene file to before Midnight EST on November 30th, 2008. You will then be entered in a draw to win a copy of Houdini Master and a one year Annual Upgrade Plan valued at over US $10,000. Winners will be announced in mid-December!

Submission Requirements

• An email with 250-300 words describing your experiences with Houdini.
• A screen grab or scene file showing your work-in-progress to verify that you have been trying out Houdini. The screen grab is for verification purposes only and will have no effect on the outcome of the draw.

Rules

• Entry in the contest constitutes an agreement to the rules and submission requirements outlined in this web page.
• This contest is void where prohibited.
• Employees of Side Effects Software Inc, or any of their agents are not eligible to enter or win. Existing users of Houdini Apprentice and Apprentice HD are eligible as long as they submit their feedback and image.
• Only one entry is permitted. If more than one entry is made, your name will only be added once to the draw.
• Side Effects Software Inc. is not responsible for entries that arrive late, or are lost or damaged during submission by email.
• If the prize cannot be awarded due to unforeseen circumstances, no cash alternatives are available.
• All submitted materials become the property of Side Effects Software Inc. and will not be returned to the sender.
• Entry in the contest constitutes an agreement to allow Side Effects Software Inc., unrestricted use and distribution of your comments or files submitted. Entry also constitutes an agreement for the use of your name for promotional purposes.
• If you do not want to abide by these rules, you may remove your entry at any time by emailing Side Effects at

Another way to win a copy of either Houdini Master or Houdini Escape is to enter the latest CGChallenge from CG Society. In this, the 23nd CGChallenge, entrants are asked to depict their favorite myth or legend, with a steam-punk aesthetic, via a still image or video. This artistic challenge lets you create gears, springs, brass and steam set around some of the world's best known stories. This is the largest CGChallenge ever, with over US$220,000 in prizes such as copies of Houdini Master and Escape!

Entering can win you lots of prizes, including Houdini Master in the Individual Video master and Visual FX categories and Houdini Escape in the Lighting and Best Character categories. While it is not a requirement of the challenge, it would be great to see Houdini Apprentice used to win one of the prizes in any of the categories!

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