eikonoklastes
The other day, on the Houdini Discord, someone asked if there was a way to copy a node and have a hotkey to immediately paste it as an Object Merge node with the correct reference.

import hou
import os.path
import random

selectedNode = hou.selectedNodes()

basecolorr = random.random()
basecolorg = random.random()
basecolorb = random.random()


if len(selectedNode) !=1:
    hou.ui.displayMessage('Please select one Node')
else: 
    for node in selectedNode:
        nodePath = node.path()
        node.setUserData('nodeshape', 'chevron_down')
        node.setColor(hou.Color([basecolorr,basecolorg,basecolorb]))
      
        curPath = os.path.dirname(nodePath)
        
        objectMerge = hou.node(curPath).createNode('object_merge','MERGER')
        objectMerge.parm('objpath1').set(nodePath)
        objectMerge.setColor(hou.Color([basecolorr,basecolorg,basecolorb]))
        objectMerge.setUserData('nodeshape', 'chevron_up')
        objectMerge.setSelected(1,1)
        
        
        sel = hou.selectedNodes()
        hou.copyNodesToClipboard(sel)
        objectMerge.destroy()
        

Jonathan de Blok
Ok, maybe they were idiots All I'm saying is that there is a subtle cost by making things more accessible.

I gained a much deeper understanding of Houdini because I actually had to write a lot of tools myself, discovering a lot of stuff while going through API docs or even hacking stuff beyond the api. And looking back the most rewarding and enjoyable jobs I did are those involving both epic technical and artistic challenges, growing both skill sets in the process.

It a balancing act between challenging the users vs scaring them away.. Just like in videogames, no feel of achievement makes a project quite boring.

SIgor420

Jonathan de Blok
Ok, maybe they were idiots All I'm saying is that there is a subtle cost by making things more accessible.

I gained a much deeper understanding of Houdini because I actually had to write a lot of tools myself, discovering a lot of stuff while going through API docs or even hacking stuff beyond the api. And looking back the most rewarding and enjoyable jobs I did are those involving both epic technical and artistic challenges, growing both skill sets in the process.

It a balancing act between challenging the users vs scaring them away.. Just like in videogames, no feel of achievement makes a project quite boring.

Buddy, just because you loved it, enjoyed it, and so on, doesn't mean everyone else will. I don't want to be a programmer, I don't want to suffer for days searching for solutions and then to realize I missed one letter in the code and that's why things didn't work. I want to be an artist that can do cool stuff without ever touching the code. If I wanted to a programmer, I would go to programming school. If Houdini wants to be an artist-friendly software, then programming should be left for geeks and technical artists, and should not force anyone into it. As much as I respect programming as a calling, I simply don't want to do it, it's still a pain for me and I don't enjoy it. Luckily for me, I still find Houdini very enjoyable to work with because we can do a lot even now without any kind of Vex or Vops. I am sure things are going to get only better for those seeking simplicity over tehnicalitiies.

Jonathan de Blok
the problem solving aspect of a job is the most rewarding part of it all.

Midphase

Jonathan de Blok
the problem solving aspect of a job is the most rewarding part of it all.

Trust me, that part will never go away. We have to remember that "easy" in the CG world is a relative term which still requires a ton of problem solving skills and smarts. I look at video editors frowning at having to learn a new editing app like Premiere or Resolve and all I can think of is "hold my beer!"

tsiwt
Obviously SideFX needs to revamp its U.I/U.X I have to jump between so many windows just to render. This is absurd. Material assignment and the material interface is such a drag visually. Parameter windows needs better organization not everything on the same hierarchy. Just making some text bolder than other to differentiate the operations can go a long way. What if you hover over a node and there is another icon that if you click it gives you an example of how to use that node in a small window.

osong
up until 2018 iirc there was no node that would make helix for you. it took sidefx labs to make it, called Spiral
it should have been made that way 15 years ago, but oh well

v@P.x = cos(i@ptnum);
v@P.z = sin(i@ptnum);

v@P.x = cos(i@ptnum * ch("resolution")) * ch("radius");
v@P.z = sin(i@ptnum * ch("resolution")) * ch("radius");

osong
like i said, i had my own solution, and now it is in labs. that's not the point

osong
up until 2018 iirc there was no node that would make helix for you. it took sidefx labs to make it, called Spiral

ubcsdelta
Please-please-please do not Adobefy our beloved houdini...

tamte
seems like Sidefx is doing something right when the only thing people hope for these days are improvements in UX and convenience tools

GoetzingerC

osong
up until 2018 iirc there was no node that would make helix for you. it took sidefx labs to make it, called Spiral
it should have been made that way 15 years ago, but oh well

Several years back I watched some math videos because I've forgotten a lot since school. The one that has helped me BY FAR the most was an explanation of the unit circle and what cosine and sine are. This has helped me on so many occasions when putting together 3D tools.

osong
at this point you are loosing a small learning opportunity of coding your own houdini competitor from scratch
you see where i am going with this... right?

edit: i do not want this to be offensive or whatever, it was just maybe too direct to drive the point across. if i were to be someone looking to get into houdini, i don't think i'd be thrilled to write vex to do simple things or whatnot

edit2: i just realized i'm doing exact opposite of what i'm suggesting in unreal engine, e.g. making most things from scratch to learn, but that is not exactly applicable since i'm aiming for different goals in that endeavor

SIgor420
I want to be an artist that can do cool stuff without ever touching the code. If I wanted to a programmer, I would go to programming school.

Midphase
Anytime that a tool comes out that makes something easier and faster, the net result is artists pushing creativity even more -- not less.

Midphase
What does that even mean?