Hey,

Is there a good resource for beginners to get some info on rotations, quarternions, matrix3's and 4's etc.
Really just how to use them in VOP's. Some examples and basic info.

I've got a very vague grasp of this and there doesn't seem to be any introductory stuff on it. Seems like people have either done the matrix math course or not!

Even just using the rotate node in Vops would be great!

Many thanks
Simon

I guess you have read Matt's suff on the subject?
http://www.tokeru.com/cgwiki/index.php?title=HoudiniVex#More_on_rotation:_Orient.2C_Quaternions.2C_Matricies.2C_Offsets.2C_stuff

Edit: Sorry cant get the link formating to work…

-b

bonsak
I guess you have read Matt's suff on the subject?
http://www.tokeru.com/cgwiki/index.php?title=HoudiniVex#More_on_rotation:_Orient.2C_Quaternions.2C_Matricies.2C_Offsets.2C_stuff

Edit: Sorry cant get the link formating to work…

-b

I have read through it but a lot goes over my head. I need some basic background in the concepts and preferably in vops not vex. He's diving right into it there really. But thanks

The wikipedia articles on these concepts are a great resource.

Also khanacademy.org is a great place for understanding math, physics and other interesting stuff. It's free, step by step… I found it really useful!

A matrix is columns of vectors; each row represents an axis within that are sub-axis which you can manipulate X,Y & Z. The problem is 3x3 matrices are not the most effective forms of transformations; that is where Quaternion come into the equation; and that is where I'm rusty. Don't let the in-effectiveness of 3x3 matrices sway you; there quite powerful; for some things and as mentioned matrices are elegant solutions.

If I was wrong in anything I mentioned; correct me, we can all learn.

Am I a matrix guru; no but I can't wait until I am

Simon, you should check the final module “Matrices and Quaternions” of Practical Houdini Math tips
https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/houdini-practical-math-tips/ [app.pluralsight.com]

If you don't have PluralSight sub, worry not, you can apply for a free tour (10 days and 200 min max).
That would cover that final module length.

Cheers

ps. also this

Ah great. Thanks all and particularly Andr1, this is what I'm after. Seems like the Pluralsight one is what I'm after exactly.

I realise that Khan and Wiki you can learn anything it's just the amount of time I have (laziness!). My maths and coding skills/brain are really not great so it takes quite a while for this stuff to sink in for me.

Hey Simon, glad to hear that! Just be aware that the Pluralsight tut is understandably just about the “how to” part. You won't really learn the mathematical proofs behind the topics explained (like crossproduct, dot produtc, etc)

Cheers!

Andr1
Hey Simon, glad to hear that! Just be aware that the Pluralsight tut is understandably just about the “how to” part. You won't really learn the mathematical proofs behind the topics explained (like crossproduct, dot produtc, etc)

Cheers!

Not as if you can do the mathematical anyhow within Houdini. Although you can learn how to translate it into Houdini speak; then again that is raw math outside of Houdini and not for the faint at heart.