Check out the Mardini 2026 page [www.sidefx.com] for details about this years contest.

Remember to not post any work until the Day 1 forum threads are posted on Feb 28.

Here are the prompts:

Very excited! I do have some rules questions that weren't covered in the FAQ:

- If we create an asset for one Mardini challenge, can we reuse it as an element in an additional, later Mardini challenge? Or would that count as using an existing Houdini Project?
- Are we allowed to use third party HDRIs for lighting? And if not, is there a source of free HDRIs that would be suitable?
- The rules said we can use the gallery materials from Linker, does that include the AMD provided materials that can be accessed through linker?

EricaTheGreat
Very excited! I do have some rules questions that weren't covered in the FAQ:

- If we create an asset for one Mardini challenge, can we reuse it as an element in an additional, later Mardini challenge? Or would that count as using an existing Houdini Project?
- Are we allowed to use third party HDRIs for lighting? And if not, is there a source of free HDRIs that would be suitable?
- The rules said we can use the gallery materials from Linker, does that include the AMD provided materials that can be accessed through linker?

Yes you can re-use assets
yes you can use third party HDRI
The AMD materials from the gallery are OK too.

Hello how do I register for the event?

thisishka3d
Hello how do I register for the event?

You don't need to register - just post to the forum each day before midnight EST

Hi, can we use Modeler for Houdini(a modeling addon made by Alexey Vanzhula)?

Hi

are 3d scans with AV ok?
and or drawings and photos from the real world?

thx

Hi

I just wanted to ask if there might be an issue with my reply. I posted my Day 3 Aquatic Animation entry, but it still doesn’t appear. It’s my first post on the forum.

Thank you

Valent
Hi, can we use Modeler for Houdini(a modeling addon made by Alexey Vanzhula)?

yes

Plankti
Hi

are 3d scans with AV ok?
and or drawings and photos from the real world?

thx

No to scans, drawings and photos - must be made in Houdini

adriangarciamartin
Hi

I just wanted to ask if there might be an issue with my reply. I posted my Day 3 Aquatic Animation entry, but it still doesn’t appear. It’s my first post on the forum.

Thank you

First posts must be approved - it is there now

Hi ! It is my first post
Can i participate this event cause i am a bit late ?
Is it allowed from Blender for modeling my 3d model asset and used in Houdini ?

Thanks in advance.

threedslider
Hi ! It is my first post
Can i participate this event cause i am a bit late ?
Is it allowed from Blender for modeling my 3d model asset and used in Houdini ?

Thanks in advance.

Yes you can participate - each day has the ability to be a winning entry.

You cannot use Blender assets - everything must be created in Houdini. Please check the rules.

rmagee
Yes you can participate - each day has the ability to be a winning entry.

You cannot use Blender assets - everything must be created in Houdini. Please check the rules.

OK thanks a lot for your info, i will do that with pure Houdini

Hi, I can't see day7 -galactic challenge is there some technical difficulty or my web browsers coockies?

kuzwk
Hi, I can't see day7 -galactic challenge is there some technical difficulty or my web browsers coockies?

It is up now! Sorry for the late posting!

Hello
I've seen works using textures and materials other than Greyscalegorilla and COP, but these should be prohibited under the rules.
Can we interpret these as effectively permitted?

Furuya Takumi
Hello
I've seen works using textures and materials other than Greyscalegorilla and COP, but these should be prohibited under the rules.
Can we interpret these as effectively permitted?

Please message me privately if you have concerns about specific entries and we will look into it.

Because no textures are allowed outside of the AMD materials and greyscalegorilla.

I will remind people of this rule the next time I post the daily threads.

I have a question regarding using elements from the Side FX content library. Are tutorials also included in that? Like if there is a Tutorial on the Side FX website and it contains a Hip-File with certain assets?

mkarlowski
I have a question regarding using elements from the Side FX content library. Are tutorials also included in that? Like if there is a Tutorial on the Side FX website and it contains a Hip-File with certain assets?

That is a tricky question. In the spirit of the contest you should make the entry from scratch as much as possible. Content Library is OK but since tutorials might be from someone outside of SideFX then no tutorial content cannot be used.