Side Effects Software has just released a technical paper outlining methods for “Building Tools in Houdini 9.” After putting together the FX Tools (that are available on the shelf for download from the Exchange), the Production Consulting team pooled together everything they learned into a single document. You can access this document from the following URL:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=966&Itemid=132 [sidefx.com]]http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com…&Itemid=132 [sidefx.com]
This is technical paper was created by the Side Effects Software Production Consulting team to help you work with Houdini’s more advanced tools. To help us understand how you are using this document, please send your feedback to Senior Production Consultant Judith Crow at judith@sidefx.com .
Robert
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Houdini Lounge » Technical Paper: Building Tools in Houdini 9
- rmagee
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Houdini Lounge » Shelf tool functionality discussion,
- rmagee
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probbins
At Object level, should there be a hot key combination( Ctrl-Alt?), or some other option, so that when I call in a primitive I'm automatically sent to that objects sop space?
There are actually two hotkey options. You can either press 2, 3, or 4 to go to the geometry level and begin selecting respectively points, edges, or faces. Another option is to press F8 which toggles between object and geometry levels. Your last geometry selection mask will be there when you toggle with F8.
This hotkey is designed to help “M” users transition because it is the hotkey for toggling between object/component levels in that app. The 2, 3, 4 hotkeys offer more choices.
Houdini 9 was designed so that if you make a selection first (go to sop level and select faces) then polyextrude then the extrude will happen right away. If you have an object selected at the object level and click polyextrude first then Houdini puts you into sop mode and prompts you for a selection. M just polyextrudes every face on the object but we thought that that was a little presumptuous. Therefore we revert to an action/selection method which then requires that you confirm the selection.
Robert
Houdini Lounge » Side Effects SIGGRAPH demo videos
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We have just posted some of the videos that we bshowed at SIGGRAPH. The artist demo reel, fluid examples and dragon animation are all available from the following location:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=872&Itemid=243 [sidefx.com]
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=872&Itemid=243 [sidefx.com]
Houdini Lounge » Houdini Masterclasses Now Online!
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For the first time ever, Side Effects is offering Masterclass sessions where you will be able to learn directly from Side Effects Software developers and product experts. Each session costs $100 USD or you can purchase all six sessions for $400 USD. You can also register free for our lunchtime experts panel.
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=821&Itemid=215 [sidefx.com]
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=821&Itemid=215 [sidefx.com]
Houdini Lounge » Houdini Party @ SIGGRAPH 2007
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Houdini Lounge » Side Effects Hits 20 years today!
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To celebrate 20 years in the CG business, Side Effects Software has posted a video highlighting a bit of our history.
We have also announced that July 10th will be the official release date for the Houdini 9 public beta. One of the tutorial videos has been posted to give everyone a taste for what the new redesigned User Interface has to offer.
You can find the article here:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=758&Itemid=66 [sidefx.com]
We have also announced that July 10th will be the official release date for the Houdini 9 public beta. One of the tutorial videos has been posted to give everyone a taste for what the new redesigned User Interface has to offer.
You can find the article here:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=758&Itemid=66 [sidefx.com]
Houdini Lounge » Apprentice Versioon
- rmagee
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Scottman,
Any time you buy a piece of software (or hardware for that matter) you will want to make sure you are going to recoup your investment within some sort of business venture. Houdini has been priced competitively for studios interested in using Houdini's node-based approach to achieving film quality effects. Whether you are a small shop or a big shop Houdini offers a flexible solution that can help you be more efficient and ultimately save time and money.
For an individual like yourself who is learning we created the Apprentice edition. If your goal is to create a demo reel the apprentice edition gives you access to all of Houdini and can be used to save and render projects. Therefore you can go beyond just learning and actually develop your ideas into final animated and rendered sequences. We are proud to offer such a robust personal development solution. There are artists on this forum who got jobs because of time spent learning Houdini through apprentice.
And if you choose to set up your own shop and you are talented and business-savvy then you will be able to charge enough money to afford your Houdini licenses AND get a really nice car.
Any time you buy a piece of software (or hardware for that matter) you will want to make sure you are going to recoup your investment within some sort of business venture. Houdini has been priced competitively for studios interested in using Houdini's node-based approach to achieving film quality effects. Whether you are a small shop or a big shop Houdini offers a flexible solution that can help you be more efficient and ultimately save time and money.
For an individual like yourself who is learning we created the Apprentice edition. If your goal is to create a demo reel the apprentice edition gives you access to all of Houdini and can be used to save and render projects. Therefore you can go beyond just learning and actually develop your ideas into final animated and rendered sequences. We are proud to offer such a robust personal development solution. There are artists on this forum who got jobs because of time spent learning Houdini through apprentice.
And if you choose to set up your own shop and you are talented and business-savvy then you will be able to charge enough money to afford your Houdini licenses AND get a really nice car.
Houdini Lounge » Houdini + Sony's PS3 Cell
- rmagee
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Side Effects Software worked on a technology demonstration involving Sony's
Cell+RSX processor and the SXRD 4K projector that was presented to an invitation-only crowd at NAB.
As this was a Sony presentation, it will be up to them to share any details with a broader audience. Side Effects Software is not planning to issue a press release about the demonstration.
Cell+RSX processor and the SXRD 4K projector that was presented to an invitation-only crowd at NAB.
As this was a Sony presentation, it will be up to them to share any details with a broader audience. Side Effects Software is not planning to issue a press release about the demonstration.
Houdini Lounge » Training Courses
- rmagee
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We have certainly heard the frequent requests for video recordings of our training classes. Where possible we have referred our trainers to Gnomon to create a video in their format and delivered through their store.
Craig's DOPS DVD is an example of training that started in the classroom that moved to dvd. This way the lessons are focused on the dvd audience and the videos do not include lots of classroom discussions where nothing is happening on the screen. And Gnomon is better equipped for manufacturing of this kind of product.
With the new workflow/UI coming for Houdini 9 we have held off of making new videos for our website and we are gearing up for much more video training once it hits the streets. We also have third party resources interested in creating videos that are holding off until H9 to make sure their product has a longer shelf life.
Let us know which of the classes you are most looking forward to and we'll either encourage the instructor to work with Gnomon to get a DVD cut or use this wishlist to help plan out the H9 tutorial videos.
Craig's DOPS DVD is an example of training that started in the classroom that moved to dvd. This way the lessons are focused on the dvd audience and the videos do not include lots of classroom discussions where nothing is happening on the screen. And Gnomon is better equipped for manufacturing of this kind of product.
With the new workflow/UI coming for Houdini 9 we have held off of making new videos for our website and we are gearing up for much more video training once it hits the streets. We also have third party resources interested in creating videos that are holding off until H9 to make sure their product has a longer shelf life.
Let us know which of the classes you are most looking forward to and we'll either encourage the instructor to work with Gnomon to get a DVD cut or use this wishlist to help plan out the H9 tutorial videos.
Houdini Lounge » New Houdini Pricing
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Side Effects Software is pleased to announce a new Houdini product line with lower prices designed to make it easier for you to maintain and enhance your current Houdini pipeline. This new product line includes a streamlined list of products and a re-packaging of some features, such as free third party rendering and access to unlimited Mantra render tokens with both Houdini Master and Houdini Escape.
In March, Side Effects Software will be releasing Houdini 8.2 to introduce the new product line. Houdini 8 licenses for Houdini Master and Houdini Escape will continue to work without interruption. Houdini Select customers will be able to use their Houdini 8 license to run Houdini Escape 8.2, and Houdini Non-graphical and Rscript customers will be able to use their Houdini 8 license to run Houdini Batch 8.2.
Here is the article on our website:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=582&Itemid=66 [sidefx.com]
Here is a link to a migration chart that will help existing users understand the changes:
http://www.sidefx.com/images/stories/products/pricing/houdini_migrationchart_march07.pdf [sidefx.com]
In March, Side Effects Software will be releasing Houdini 8.2 to introduce the new product line. Houdini 8 licenses for Houdini Master and Houdini Escape will continue to work without interruption. Houdini Select customers will be able to use their Houdini 8 license to run Houdini Escape 8.2, and Houdini Non-graphical and Rscript customers will be able to use their Houdini 8 license to run Houdini Batch 8.2.
Here is the article on our website:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=582&Itemid=66 [sidefx.com]
Here is a link to a migration chart that will help existing users understand the changes:
http://www.sidefx.com/images/stories/products/pricing/houdini_migrationchart_march07.pdf [sidefx.com]
Houdini Lounge » Houdini Exchange moves menus
- rmagee
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FYI: We have been doing some updates to our website and the Houdini Exchange has moved from the Learning menu to the Community menu. The URL is the same (www.sidefx.com/exchange).
Houdini Lounge » Muscle Systems
- rmagee
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Right mouse button click on the link and choose Save Link As…. or if you have Quicktime pro then click on the link then after it has loaded completely RMB on the movie and Save as quicktime….
Houdini Lounge » Muscle Systems
- rmagee
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Side Effects is pleased to release two new tutorial videos covering the setup and capture of skin geometry using the new metaball based muscle system. Product specialist Calin Casian takes you through a simple arm setup and shows how to setup null objects, add the muscles, capture the geometry and paint capture weights.
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=554&Itemid=132 [sidefx.com]
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=554&Itemid=132 [sidefx.com]
Houdini Lounge » Typo on the RBD DVD article title
- rmagee
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Houdini Lounge » Houdini 9 Sneak Peek (with fluids...)
- rmagee
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This article covers the information presented at the Roadshow and includes a fluids video:
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=545&Itemid=9 [sidefx.com]
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=545&Itemid=9 [sidefx.com]
Houdini Lounge » 3d World Image Contest
- rmagee
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In celebration of the release of Houdini 8.1, Side Effects Software and 3D World are giving you the chance to win a first prize of Houdini Master or a runner-up prize of Houdini Escape. Closing date for entries is 1 November 2006.
To create your image for this contest you must use the Houdini Apprentice Edition, which contains all of Houdini Master’s features and lets you develop demo-reel quality work with minor limitations: a small unobtrusive watermark, a non-commercial file format and a maximum render resolution of 720x576.
The entries will be judged on creativity, composition and your use of Houdini. While your image must be created and rendered in Houdini Apprentice, you are free to import models, characters and textures from other packages. You can then create additional models, shaders, lights, and effects using Houdini.
For complete contest details and deadline information, read the September issue of 3D world or go to the Computer Arts website.
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=512&Itemid=66 [sidefx.com]
To create your image for this contest you must use the Houdini Apprentice Edition, which contains all of Houdini Master’s features and lets you develop demo-reel quality work with minor limitations: a small unobtrusive watermark, a non-commercial file format and a maximum render resolution of 720x576.
The entries will be judged on creativity, composition and your use of Houdini. While your image must be created and rendered in Houdini Apprentice, you are free to import models, characters and textures from other packages. You can then create additional models, shaders, lights, and effects using Houdini.
For complete contest details and deadline information, read the September issue of 3D world or go to the Computer Arts website.
http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=512&Itemid=66 [sidefx.com]
Houdini Lounge » Why does Ambient Occlusion in Houdini do this?!
- rmagee
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I find that with polymodeling I like to bevel the edges instead of faceting the points. In real life there are very few “straight” edges and even the slightest bevel on an edge gives a nice definition that empasizes the 3D nature of the object. Usually you need a poly bevel with at least one division to make this work effectively. Bevels also work well if you are using subdivision surface rendering.
Houdini Lounge » Problem with Lighting tutorial
- rmagee
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Good point. Luckily the reels are digital assets so they will be easy enough to fix.
Robert
Robert
Houdini Lounge » Problem with Lighting tutorial
- rmagee
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Peter,
You are correct. The reel is 16 mm thick. When we composed the shot we actually wanted the reel to be 8mm but when we chose the Bolex D8L camera as our reference then the proper film stock needed to be double Super 8mm which comes out to 16mm.
The one error we did make was to put perforations on only one side of the film since double 8 has perforations on both.
Here is a web site with some info on this format:
http://member.melbpc.org.au/~cksm/Formats.html [member.melbpc.org.au]
Here is some info on the Bolex D8L:
http://www.sci.fi/~animato/filmhist/filmhist.html [sci.fi]
You are correct. The reel is 16 mm thick. When we composed the shot we actually wanted the reel to be 8mm but when we chose the Bolex D8L camera as our reference then the proper film stock needed to be double Super 8mm which comes out to 16mm.
The one error we did make was to put perforations on only one side of the film since double 8 has perforations on both.
Here is a web site with some info on this format:
http://member.melbpc.org.au/~cksm/Formats.html [member.melbpc.org.au]
Here is some info on the Bolex D8L:
http://www.sci.fi/~animato/filmhist/filmhist.html [sci.fi]
Houdini Lounge » list of shortcuts
- rmagee
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You can access the quick reference card info from the online docs. Click on quick reference on the home page. The contents of the Houdini 6 card have been put here in various categories.
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- Quick Links