Run the Houdini setup program by double-clicking the downloaded executable.

Note:

• You do not need to Run as Administrator. As long as your user account has permissions to install programs, you should be fine.
• Install the License Server component if:
  • installing for Houdini Indie or Houdini Apprentice.
  • the computer is a license server to serve licenses to client machines, or
  • a Workstation (nodelock, not using a remote license server) is installed.
• If the computer is a client machine and will use a remote license server, you do not need to install the License Server component.

• The licensing menu may appear during the installation process if no installed licenses can be detected, or the first time the software.
  • If you are installing Apprentice, choose "Install Houdini Apprentice license.
  • If you are installing a commercial product, choose I have a paid license for Houdini.

Once installed, the application is available by default through:

• Start Menu → All Programs → Side Effects Software → Houdini 18.0.x

The following two services (found in Services.msc) will need to be in the running state for Houdini to function:

• HoudiniServer (client program to interact with the license server)
• HoudiniLicenseServer (license server)

For more information about licensing Houdini please refer to Licensing a Houdini product