Hi,
I am working on a group project from school which requires me to break a string/rope in a realistic fashion. I have generated the string using a tool I wrote which gives me control on the construction of the string (a.k.a number of threads wrapped around each other).
I have tried searching on these forums but couldn't find a way to do it.
What are the recommendations to create this effect.
1) Do I go the cloth tearing route( I can't seem to find that tool in my version of Houdini)
2) Go the fracturing route
3) Any other recommendations?

If you can guide me in the right direction so that I am not shooting in the dark, then it would be much appreciated.
Thanks a bunch. Regards,
Soumitra Goswami

P.S. - My university currently has Houdini 12.5.376 as its latest version.

Maybe look into this cutting system.
http://forums.odforce.net/topic/22834-cutting-system-perhaps-fem-working/?hl=cutting [forums.odforce.net]

Not sure if it works with H12.

Also what about using a GLUE to connect two points in your generated string then releasing that bond to cause a break to occur?

Thanks a ton !! will try it out and post results. I am also looking into http://ihoudini.blogspot.ca/2011/10/snapping-wires.html [ihoudini.blogspot.ca] .
Yeah Finite Elements is not available in the version I am using but if you have suggestions on jerry-rigging that feature then I shall try that out as well.
Cheers ,
Regards,
Soumitra Goswami