Houdini 22.0 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). By default, they will be opened in the Asset Editor when double-cliked on, like HoudiniAssets. 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 next to the Houdini Asset picker in the HoudiniAsset secion of the 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 or outliner, then click the next to the Houdini Asset Picker.

  2. Click Create Preset.

    • 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 click 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 or outliner. Then, a single HoudiniPreset in the Content Browser.

  2. In the HoudiniAsset actor’s details panel, click the next to the Houdini Asset Picker.

  3. Click the Update Selected Preset.

    • 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.

  4. Configure your properties and parameters, then 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.

  1. # Select your HoudiniAsset actor in the viewport or outliner, then click the next to the Houdini Asset Picker.

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

Another method is to 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.

Can be Instantiated

When on, allows the present to be instantiated directly. Instiate the source asset and apply this preset.

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.

Image Data

Property

Description

Apply Image Data Settings

When on, apply all image data settings.

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.

Double clicking on a Preset in the Content Browser will open them in the Houdini Asset Editor, like HoudiniAssets.

Edit Tool Properties

The HoudiniTools Properties Editor can edit select properties for presets, similar to HoudiniAssets. The property editor can be launched by 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

Scripting

Reference