So i went though the intro to Houdini interface. Ok so i had just one problem. after adding the manta node( Houdini's render node) i then hit render start right. the pop up for the render display came up and thats all. no image, nothing rendered. After awhile i right clicked save file jpg. i figured nothing would be saved, since all i had was a black window. when i opened the jpg file i had my image. So i have to ask whats wrong with display part of render.

so one more time. Here's what i get when i render. again when i save by right clicking i get an image.

what kind of video card are you using? Have you tried installing the latest drivers?

I suspect it has something to do with that.

It looks like your video card doesn't support fp16 rendering, even though it might be advertising that it does. Do this in Mplay (the flipbook):

1) select from the main menu Windows->Display Options
2) click “Video Card Options”
3) check the third option, “Display All Images at 8bit Pixel Depth”
4) Close
5) click “Save as Default”

That should fix your renders, at a small speed hit (due to the image format conversion). As Allegro says, you might want to check for more up-to-date video drivers first.

thanks i'll try this out when i get home from work. i have an ATI card btw.

lol thanks for the help. ATI released new drivers July 21. fixed this problem.

I hope no one minds if ill state now that i will be asking a lot of questions. i just picked up Houdini HD and ill have a lot of questions while i go though the tuts.