Houdini 21.0 Nodes Geometry nodes

Labs Instance Attributes 1.0 geometry node

Builds and manages instance-related attributes for geometry instancing workflows.

This node prepares geometry for instancing by creating, modifying, and randomizing common instance attributes such as variant selection, scale, and rotation.

It supports asset variant weighting, per-point transform controls, and optional output formats tailored for Houdini Engine workflows in Unreal Engine and Unity. The node is designed to centralize instance setup logic, reducing the need for custom attribute wrangles and improving consistency across pipelines.

Optional visualization tools are included to preview instance transforms and variant distribution directly in Houdini.

Parameters

Asset Variants

Instance Attribute

The attribute containing the instance path or identifier.

Variant Random Seed

Seed used to randomize variant selection.

Instance Variants

Variant Path #

Instance path assigned to this variant entry.

Weight #

The weighted probability that this variant is selected.

Scale #

Scale multiplier applied when this variant is selected.

Houdini Engine

Create Instance Attribute for Unreal Engine

Creates instance attributes compatible with Unreal Engine workflows.

Create Instance Attribute for Unity

Creates instance attributes compatible with Unity workflows.

Delete Original Instance Attribute

Deletes the original instance attribute after conversion.

Point Transforms

Scale

Uniform Scale

Applies a uniform scale to instances.

Apply To

Specifies which scale attributes are affected.

Scaling Pscale: Applies scaling to point attribute pscale.

Scaling Scale: Applies scaling to point attribute scale.

Scaling Both: Applies scaling to both pscale and scale.

Randomize Pscale

Randomizes the pscale attribute.

Min

Minimum value for randomized pscale.

Max

Maximum value for randomized pscale.

Noise Element Size

Spatial size of the noise used for randomization.

Noise Offset

Offset applied to the noise sampling.

Randomize Scale

Randomizes the scale attribute.

Min

Minimum value for randomized scale.

Max

Maximum value for randomized scale.

Random Seed

Seed used for scale randomization.

Rotation

Initial Rotation

Defines how the initial instance orientation is derived.

Attempt to Use Input N (and Up): Uses input normals and up vectors when available.

Attempt to Use Input Orient: Uses the input orient attribute when available.

Reorientation

Adjusts the relationship between forward and up axes.

None: No reorientation.

Swap Up and Forward: Swaps the up and forward axes.

Rotate Up to Forward: Rotates the up axis to align with the forward axis.

Spin Axis/Amount

Specifies the axis around which instances are rotated.

  • X in Houdini (Side/Pitch)

  • Y in Houdini (Up/Yaw)

  • Z in Houdini (Forward/Roll)

Spin Amount Mode

Determines how spin values are computed.

Uniform: Uses a constant spin value.

Random: Randomizes the spin amount.

From Attribute: Reads the spin amount from an attribute.

Spin Amount

Spin amount used in Uniform mode.

Spin Amount Min

Minimum spin value used in Random mode.

Spin Amount Max

Maximum spin value used in Random mode.

Random Seed

Seed used for spin randomization.

Spin Amount Attribute

Attribute used to define spin amount when From Attribute is selected.

Randomize Rotation in 3D

Applies random rotation across all three axes.

Min

Minimum rotation values.

Max

Maximum rotation values.

Random Seed

Seed used for 3D rotation randomization.

Guide

Guide

Enables visualization guides.

Guide Scale

Scale of the visualization guides.

Gnomon

Displays orientation gnomons for instances.

Unit Cubes

Displays unit cubes to visualize instance scale.

Visualize Variants

Colors instances based on selected variants.

Cleanup

Point Attributes to Keep

List of point attributes preserved in the output. All other generated attributes are removed.

Geometry nodes