So I've been taking this Linda course called “The Fundamentals of Programming” to learn Vex

https://www.lynda.com/Programming-Foundations-tutorials/Welcome/83603/90426-4.html [www.lynda.com]


Even though I haven't even gotten close to Vex yet, I only heard about it. I'm new to Houdini as well, and I mainly want to use it for particle based animations like fire, water, smoke, clouds, particles, terrain destruction, dynamics. I'm not a 3D modeler but I can get around ya know.

I know this topic has been done before, so I apologize for another one, but I've been going back and forth between which computer languages to be acquainted with, so I can find Vex familiar. Some say Python, others say C++, one individual said JavaScript is like Vex; the thing is, I don't know, so I'm just asking community, as someone who wants to get into particle simulations, how does Vex work with Houdini, and is Vex like expressions?

If you know of any tutorials that are for beginners involving Vex, it would be much appreciated, as far as what language to learn, any advice is fine. Some may say that learning a whole new language for Houdini is absurd, but I've always wanted to learn how to program, why not Vex and something else ya know?

Sorry for the long post, thank you in advance.

I would advise to start to play with processing, because it is c like language, the same as vex.

https://processing.org/ [processing.org]

https://www.youtube.com/user/shiffman/featured [www.youtube.com] the coding train is fun and good place to start and installing processing is free, so you are not risking anything.

Of course, the Python is also good to learn, but it is different than VEX, it is mainly useful to understand it for some pipeline solutions in Houdini. I would also advise to maybe play a little with a mobile app on your phone, it is lot of fun and you will get the basic concepts quickly. I use sololearn (https://www.sololearn.com/Course/CPlusPlus/) which is available for IOS and Android.

Besides, VEX stands for Vector EXpressions, so it would be useful to get some concepts from linear algebra, for which I would advise the course at Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/math/linear-algebra [www.khanacademy.org]

And if you are serious in learning, you could consider to buy a course www.cgsociety.org/training/course/vex-in-houdini by my personal hero Anastasia Opara or get behind https://www.patreon.com/entagma [www.patreon.com] pay wall to learn some vex specific tricks. And not to forget amazing resource by Matt Estela http://www.tokeru.com/cgwiki [www.tokeru.com]

I wish you playful learning!