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Houdini Lounge » How did you learn?
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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Houdini Lounge » How did you learn?
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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Mailing list archives? Im sorry I dont know enough about that. If that was key would you mind pointing me in that direction. I dont know where to start with that.
Houdini Lounge » How did you learn?
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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Ive been looking left and right for Houdini tutorials and have found a nice selection, though Id like more. I often like to watch tutorials, rarely read manuals or books.
I know some of you guys like to read books, some video tutorials and others just play with it. If you guys dont mind, Id like to know how you learned Houdini. What personal practices did you take to learn/study and how long did it take until the light above your head finally came on?
I think different peoples opinions might help me create a decent road map to learn Houdini and maybe acquire different learning styles. Also if possible, if you have a site or book to refer Id love to know it.
I know some of you guys like to read books, some video tutorials and others just play with it. If you guys dont mind, Id like to know how you learned Houdini. What personal practices did you take to learn/study and how long did it take until the light above your head finally came on?
I think different peoples opinions might help me create a decent road map to learn Houdini and maybe acquire different learning styles. Also if possible, if you have a site or book to refer Id love to know it.
Houdini Lounge » Versatility or Specialty
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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wow awesome advice. Thanks guys. For some strange reason, I know a decent level or max, but I really really want to do Houdini. Heres the kicker, Im not really that technical of a guy and im finding it a little harder to pick up. But unlike Maya and Max, It feels like a fun learning experience rather than a chore like the others.
I cant explain it, considering I know little to nothing about 3d. It might get crazier as I wanna get more in depth. The only thing that kills me is that getting a variety of tutorials is some what tough. Ive been finding alot here and there, but some times there arent any that answer “How do I do this or that” kinda thing. Im sure itll come over time.
I cant explain it, considering I know little to nothing about 3d. It might get crazier as I wanna get more in depth. The only thing that kills me is that getting a variety of tutorials is some what tough. Ive been finding alot here and there, but some times there arent any that answer “How do I do this or that” kinda thing. Im sure itll come over time.
Houdini Lounge » Versatility or Specialty
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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jeff
Depending on the facility, the type of work they are currently doing, it's religion (long standing archaic politics) which implicitly dirives the pipeline, the preferences/comfort zones of the leads on the shots and the competency level of the current bodies on staff, they'll use a particular set of tools.
Ya I am new to the product. What I did before dedicating myself to something is read the forums and see what people say. It became apparent to me that people who were high end users, or said they were, were using specific programs according to their strengths. This post was my trying to acquire more information not about what can be done, but what do you guys do. Im coming in the game too late to try to re-invent the wheel. I figure Ill learn from everyone else' experience. The top quote has been the most helpful to me in understanding how things work depending on the place you work at and how you work.
I appreciate the feedback, everything you have said has totally opened my eyes to the functions available. But as usual I would request to know why exactly, with such a great feature why wouldnt this product be on the higher end of their lists for modeling. Of course Im not saying people dont use it, Heck I dont know. Its me asking you guys, what do you use and why. For some strange reason, im taking a liking to Houdini, and I do know Maya and Max, Im just trying to inquire more about what else is great about the program that Im not seeing. But over all, your input was awesome. It has guided me on understanding how things work. I look forward to learning more.
If I may ask, why do you think Houdini isnt as “popular” or widely used as Autodesk options?
Houdini Lounge » Versatility or Specialty
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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Ive been reading page after page about Houdini. And it has come to me that Houdini isn't the main software serious 3d artists use. I see alot of people utilizing Houdini for specific tasks, then jumping back to other pieces of software. For example, I have read alot of people using Silo and Modo to model, Houdini for particles and dynamics and Maya,max and SoftImage for animating and rendering.
Obviously each of these programs can do it all by themselves. But, Im really curious on what exactly do you guys “NEED” Houdni for, and what do you not need from it? (Need particles, not need to model in it, etc.) I want to further my education with Houdini, but I want to get an idea of what you all use it for. If its not exactly modeling, or what not, Id like to know why. So I can move else where and focus on Houdini's strengths.
Along with its weakness' what are its dominating strengths?
Obviously each of these programs can do it all by themselves. But, Im really curious on what exactly do you guys “NEED” Houdni for, and what do you not need from it? (Need particles, not need to model in it, etc.) I want to further my education with Houdini, but I want to get an idea of what you all use it for. If its not exactly modeling, or what not, Id like to know why. So I can move else where and focus on Houdini's strengths.
Along with its weakness' what are its dominating strengths?
Houdini Lounge » Things other than dynamics and particls
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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probbins
Regarding modelling, it depends on your use of the model. If you are building something and you know it won't be subject to change then use whatever modeller you are most comfortable with.
If however you know the model will change, or more importantly, that you may re-use the model, then use Houdini to do procedural modelling.
The two images are of models done entirely in Houdini, but in much earlier versions of houdini. The salmon was done in H5 but a former student, the robot was done in an even earlier version. So both .hip files are at least 10 years old.
Two points to make;
1. the files did actually open and are useful
2. since the models are done procedurally I can edit the models.
ps. no you can't have the files, they don't belong to me.
Ok, i think Im getting it. Im curious about one thing. On your second point you said you cant edit models. So lets say I create a building procedurally, but I wanna have something impact with it, and it crumbles. Does point 2 mean that I cant do that since its procedurals?
Here is the Newb of Newb Questions….(forgive me everyone) Ive been trying to figure out what a procedural process looks like. How the heck do I find out. Ive gotten some digital tutors stuff, and still looking. I know of a City procedural tutorial out, but cant afford it right this sec. How can I best learn about procedurals on my own? Any links or resources?
Thanks for everyones awesome advice
Houdini Lounge » Things other than dynamics and particls
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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fede
I definitely think that Silo is a fantastic organic modeler with nice UV tools and good to have in your arsenal, but keep in mind that you should decide on what is needed on a per project / shot basis rather than setting some rigid rules or guidelines.
Forgive me for asking, cause im so new. Like what situations would I need to go back and forth?
Houdini Lounge » Things other than dynamics and particls
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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jrgauthierI have a follow up question. Lets say I have my buildings and space ships made. Its time to make things like robotic limbs, tentacles and basic non-ultra detailed monsters. What path would you take for that?
I guess you could go with Houdini all the way. My only doubt would be about the basic non-ultra detailed monster,you gotta get used to the workflow, but still it can easily be done in houdini as well. Worst case you could use silo, I also heard of wing 3d, or blender out..
XSI also offers a Mod toolhttp://www.softimage.com/products/modtool/default.aspx [softimage.com] which gives you acces to good XSI modeling tools for free, with limitation of 64000 poly per object or something like that.
Anyways, those are suggestions, but you could easily stick with Houdini and learn modeling the procedural way, it can also benefit organic modeling as well sometimes. Yep! Houdini all the way
Oh wow. ok. So much good stuff here. I never even heard of those packages. It kinds sounds like I could be find with Houdini for modeling, but you guys suggested silo and the other one. Heck it seems like Silo is really cheap, ($150) thats a great deal. If I can get that too, and it would do a great job, should I just model in that? and work the rest in Houdini?
I guess I need to do know is, Between Silo and Houdini, what are the strengths of using both, so that I get the best workflow from both? (Example, Houdini enviorment/ Silo Organic, etc)
Follow up to that, would I just be over all better to use the XSI free one? Hope im not asking too many annoying questions, Im just learning about these side programs.
Houdini Lounge » Things other than dynamics and particls
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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Great. Thanks for the advice guys. I hope this post helps others that are in my shoes too. Thanks again.
Houdini Lounge » Things other than dynamics and particls
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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Thanks man you rock.
I have a follow up question. Lets say I have my buildings and space ships made. Its time to make things like robotic limbs, tentacles and basic non-ultra detailed monsters. What path would you take for that?
I have a follow up question. Lets say I have my buildings and space ships made. Its time to make things like robotic limbs, tentacles and basic non-ultra detailed monsters. What path would you take for that?
Houdini Lounge » Things other than dynamics and particls
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
- Offline
Thanks man you rock.
I have a follow up question. Lets say I have my buildings and space ships made. Its time to make things like robotic limbs, tentacles and basic non-ultra detailed monsters. What path would you take for that?
I have a follow up question. Lets say I have my buildings and space ships made. Its time to make things like robotic limbs, tentacles and basic non-ultra detailed monsters. What path would you take for that?
Houdini Indie and Apprentice » Anything like this for Houdini?
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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I just saw this:
http://www.afterworks.com/FumeFX.asp [afterworks.com]
and have to say I was really impressed.
I was curious if there is anything like that for Houdini ?
Or!
Is there any tutorials out there that would show me how to create those effects?
http://www.afterworks.com/FumeFX.asp [afterworks.com]
and have to say I was really impressed.
I was curious if there is anything like that for Houdini ?
Or!
Is there any tutorials out there that would show me how to create those effects?
Houdini Lounge » Things other than dynamics and particls
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
- Offline
Hey everyone,
Im pretty new to Houdini, im loving the journey. Also considering Ive been on max and maya previous. Heres the thing, Ive been doing some research and everyone raves about Houdinis particles and dynamics, but then dont have many great things to say about its modeling and animation (rigging, lighting, etc) in comparison to maya and max. Im obviously ignorant to this issue. If im looking to just get the “Basics” of modeling, animation, lighting, etc, and master the dynamics and particles, is this a good choice? Or should I learn to model and animate in maya or xsi or what ever and incorporate it with Houdini?
Some might ask what specifically I want to model and animate. As of now, space scenes (Space ships, comets, planets, etc) , City scenes, cars, buildings, bridges (I want to work on the destructive aspect of them) Im not too into character animation such as monsters or pixar stuff. But If in the future i decide to , I want to know if I should have learned modeling somewhere else, or will I be fine in Houdini?
Im pretty new to Houdini, im loving the journey. Also considering Ive been on max and maya previous. Heres the thing, Ive been doing some research and everyone raves about Houdinis particles and dynamics, but then dont have many great things to say about its modeling and animation (rigging, lighting, etc) in comparison to maya and max. Im obviously ignorant to this issue. If im looking to just get the “Basics” of modeling, animation, lighting, etc, and master the dynamics and particles, is this a good choice? Or should I learn to model and animate in maya or xsi or what ever and incorporate it with Houdini?
Some might ask what specifically I want to model and animate. As of now, space scenes (Space ships, comets, planets, etc) , City scenes, cars, buildings, bridges (I want to work on the destructive aspect of them) Im not too into character animation such as monsters or pixar stuff. But If in the future i decide to , I want to know if I should have learned modeling somewhere else, or will I be fine in Houdini?
Houdini Lounge » Strange Request from everyone
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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Hey guys, Im pretty new to Houdini. Now As a 3d person, I have a basic Maya foundation. But I wanted to try out Houdini, and well I dont know what it is, but I really like it. I like it so much, Im considering halting my Maya learning experience and learning only on Houdini. Now I understand that “Its not the tool, its the artist” and I also know that “In the industry, people use a variety of software (Maya, Houdini, Realflow) to get the job done. But, Im not at that point. I want to learn the one really well, then when I have the understanding of it all, then move to another software to compare strengths/weakness'.
Here is where my strange request comes in. Post after post, forum after forum, it seems that MAYA is a absolute ”Must" and the top if you want to get the best grip on the way the industry works. But I dont want to do Maya (at least for now). I want to create a nice reel with Houdini. I am kinda discouraged just because of what Im hearing from many sources. They all say Houdini is much harder to learn. I think Im going to stick with Houdini as my first choice, I just dont know why (Other than the fact I enjoy it more) if Maya will get me a job much faster. Can anyone tell me why I made a good choice industry/technically/Newb wise?
Here is where my strange request comes in. Post after post, forum after forum, it seems that MAYA is a absolute ”Must" and the top if you want to get the best grip on the way the industry works. But I dont want to do Maya (at least for now). I want to create a nice reel with Houdini. I am kinda discouraged just because of what Im hearing from many sources. They all say Houdini is much harder to learn. I think Im going to stick with Houdini as my first choice, I just dont know why (Other than the fact I enjoy it more) if Maya will get me a job much faster. Can anyone tell me why I made a good choice industry/technically/Newb wise?
Houdini Indie and Apprentice » Houdini Hard?
- Lmayfield
- 36 posts
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I want to learn a ton about dynamics and particles, and heard that Houdini and Maya are the way to go. But every person always says “Houdni is awesome, unfortunately it has a steep learning curve and is very difficult to pick up”.
For those who are also new and possibly have input on this id like to know. I plan on learning both, and would like to know exactly whats so hard about Houdini.
For those who are also new and possibly have input on this id like to know. I plan on learning both, and would like to know exactly whats so hard about Houdini.
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