Houdini is best known for its node-based workflow which makes it easy to step back and make changes. Everything you do in Houdini is recorded into nodes that are connected into networks that provide a history of your decisions that can be revised, rewired and shared with colleagues.

While many applications create construction history stacks or build complex dependency graphs, they often offer only limited control. These systems either define a linear history or they use intricate parameter-based connections that must be managed via scripting. In Houdini, nodes are organized into nested hierarchies that are easy to manage and because connections are generalized, it is easy to swap out, rewire and even branch off to explore new ideas.

The most important thing this video shows is that the ability to work with these nodes is interactive and friendly and can be easily accomplished by artists. While Houdini 9 provides many viewport-centric tools that let you work directly with your 3D shapes, you will soon be looking to the nodes and networks to further explore and manage the results.

At the end of the video, the nodes is encapsulated into a single node then turned into a Houdini Digital Asset. Parameters can be promoted from inside the asset to create a high-level interface and then shared with other people. You will see how a custom tool can be built using interactive methods that do not require any programming.

Important: The Copy tool as shown in this video was not working in the initial H9 Public beta release (build 652). In the latest release (build 655) there is now a copy to points tool that has the same icon as the tool in the video that now works as shown in the video. Check out the H9 Software Updates blog entry to learn how to get access to the daily builds.