Hey, I'm just learning Houdini and coming from a background in other 3d applications, one thing that I'm really struggling with is controlling my pivot points. Any advice would help!

If there was a node that could re-center a pivot to object center it would fix all my issues I feel but I haven't found it.

Here's the current problem with my pivot which probably has a simple solution but I could think of it yet….
I'm trying to copy a screw in a straight line but have a random rotation, but each time it copies it will rotate from orgin and not object center and creating a curved copy instead of a straight line.

The better way to copy things and apply unique transformations to each copy is through the use of template point attributes. The Copy to Points SOP will read these attributes on your points and transform each generated copy automatically.

I wrote this a while back but it's a pretty thorough guide on how these attributes work: A Long-Winded Guide to Houdini Instancing [www.toadstorm.com]

You can use a transform sop and expand the pivot transform option.

With your node set the H-script you can put in the pivot translate vector components respectively - $CEX, $CEY and $CEZ.

Hi, if you are copying geometry along a flat line and want some random rotations, I've attached a quick method using copy to points with attribute randomize on orient.

I've also added a switch for different inputs to show how you could use either a line, curve or copies.

Rob

Wow, that's really wonderful, thank you for the feedback! I'll play with that and It seems to open up a whole new set of fun things I can do!