Houdini 20.0 Unreal

Presets

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Overview

Presets store the configuration of a specific Houdini Asset Component, which includes the HDA parameters, cooking options, specific inputs, and mesh generation settings. Presets for HoudiniAsset components are saved as HoudiniPreset assets in the Unreal project.

Presets can be instantiated in a similar way to HoudiniAssets (See Instantiating Presets). They are also integrated with HoudiniTools Packages and the HoudiniTool panel for the same organizational benefits by HoudiniAssets (See HoudiniTools).

Getting Started

You can create, update, and apply presets through the Presets menu at the top of the HoudiniAsset actor’s details panel.

Note

Additional preset management can be performed through the HoudiniTools panel. See HoudiniTools panel for more information.

Creating a new Preset

  1. select a HoudiniAsset actor in the viewport, then LMB on the Create Preset action in the Presets menu.

  2. This opens the Create Preset dialog where you can configure the preset before creating it. See Create / Update Presets for more information.

  3. Configure your properties desired parameters, then LMB on the Create Preset button to create the preset asset.

    • This creates a HoudiniPreset asset in a Presets subfolder next to the Source Asset, and focus the Content Browser on the newly created asset.

Updating an existing Preset

  1. Select a single HoudiniAsset in the viewport and a single HoudiniPreset in the Content Browser.

  2. In the HoudiniAsset actor’s details panel, LMB the Update Preset action in the Presets menu.

    • This opens the Update Preset dialog where the preset can be configured prior to updating it. See Create / Update Presets for more information. NOTE:

      By default, the Update Preset dialog retains the existing settings and parameter selections from the selected HoudiniPreset asset. Make sure to review the parameter selection and select any additional parameters that may be present on the HoudiniAsset.

  3. Configure your properties and parameters, then LMB the Update Preset button to update the preset asset with the current settings.

Applying a preset

You can apply a HoudiniPreset to a HoudiniAsset actor using two methods.

Use the Presets menu on the HoudiniAsset actor’s detail panel.

  1. Select a preset list in the Presets section. This applies to all selected (and compatible) HoudiniAsset actors.

Another method is to RMB the HoudiniPreset asset in the __Content Browser___. Then select the Apply preset to selected HoudiniAsset actors action. This will apply the preset to all selected (and compatible) HoudiniAsset actors.

The button in the Presets menu finds the respective HoudiniPreset asset in the Content Browser.

Create / Update Presets

These parameters are available in the Create and Update Preset dialog.

Properties

Property

Description

Asset Name

The name of the UAsset. This will influence the Location displayed at the bottom of the dialog.

Label

The label for Preset in the UI.

Description

The description for the Preset. Usually in tooltips.

Source Asset

By default, set to asset preset created. Determines which HoudiniAsset’s the preset can apply to.

Apply Only To Source Asset

When on, only applies to the HoudiniAsset in the Source Asset. When off, applies to to any HoudiniAsset.

Revert HDA Parameters

When on, HDA parameters will be reverted to defaults before applying the preset.

Options

Property

Description

Temporary Cook Folder

When on, apply the value of the Temporary Cook Folder.

Bake Folder

When on, apply the value of the Bake Folder.

Apply Bake Options

When on, apply all the settings from the Bake section of the HoudiniAsset details panel.

Apply Asset Option

When on, apply all the settings from the Asset Options section of the HoudiniAsset details panel.

Parameters

The Parameters section contains all the parameters retrieved from the selected HoudiniAsset actor. Only the selected parameters will be applied with this preset.

Inputs

The Inputs section contains all the supported input types that can be stored in this preset. Presets currently support Geometry and Curve input types. Any selected inputs will be applied with this preset.

Mesh Generation

Property

Description

Apply Mesh Generation Settings

When on, apply all the settings from the HoudiniAsset actor’s Mesh Generation Settings section.

Apply Proxy Mesh Generation Settings

When on, apply all the settings from the HoudiniAsset actor’s Proxy Mesh Generation Settings section.

Instantiating Presets

Presets can be instantiated directly, similar to HoudiniAssets, from the Content Browser. They can be dragged into the current scene or can be instantiated through various options available in the context menu.

Edit Tool Properties

The HoudiniTools Properties Editor can edit select properties for presets, similar to HoudiniAssets. The property editor can be launched by RMB on the asset in the Content Browser, and then select the Edit Tool Properties action.

The same property editor can be launched through the HoudiniTools panel. See HoudiniTools Property Editor for more information.

Unreal

Getting started

Basics

Using Houdini Engine

Reference

Houdini Engine for Unreal Engine is a plug-in that allows integration of Houdini technology into Unreal. Session Sync and Node Sync are two features of the Houdini Engine Plugin to interact with a live session of Houdini.

This plug-in brings Houdini’s powerful and flexible procedural workflow into Unreal Engine through Houdini Digital Assets. Artists can interactively adjust asset parameters inside the editor and use Unreal assets as inputs. Houdini’s procedural engine will then “cook” the asset and the results will be available in the editor without the need for baking.

General information:

Compatibility:

Currently, the plugins has binaries that have been built for UE5.3, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, UE4.27 and UE4.26, and is linked with the latest production build of Houdini.

Source code for the plugin is available on this repository for UE5.3, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, UE4.27, UE4.26.

Note

UE5.1 and UE5.0 use the same source files/branches, the 5.0 sources are also intended to be used with 5.1.

Support and reporting bugs:

SessionSync

The Houdini Engine SessionSync feature allows you to connect to a session of Houdini Engine running inside Houdini with its GUI. It supports all the features of the regular Houdini Engine workflow and additional features specific to Session Sync.

Houdini Engine uses a non-UI version of Houdini while Session Sync lets you see and interact with the Houdini session through Houdini’s user interface. It also synchronizes changes made in either Unreal or Houdini so both programs can make changes and see the same results.

NodeSync

NodeSync is a feature for the Houdini Unreal Engine Plugin that enables sharing assets between Unreal and Houdini Session Sync. It works for Skeletal and static meshes.

You can send and receive data to and from Unreal without a dedicated HDA. It works with Static and Skeletal meshes as well as Actors.

Houdini Niagara

The Houdini-Niagara plugin allows you to exchange point cloud data between Houdini and Unreal’s Niagara system using the HoudiniNiagara Data Interface. You can export Houdini’s attribute data as HoudiniPointCache assets. These can then be imported into Unreal to use the Niagara systems and emitters to create complex effects and particle systems.

The Houdini KineFX Live Link plugin lets you control rigs in Unreal directly from KineFX in Houdini.