I'm a Unity developer collaborating with a Houdini artist, and I'm having very fundamental issues with using the Houdini - Unity Plugin.

Basically, I've received a number of HDA files and their respective .fbxs, which I import into Unity after importing the Houdini Plugin package.

Upon dragging an HDA into my Unity scene, I receive an error stating, "Loading Asset Library From File: Failed to get status string. Likely the session is invalid."

* I have verified I'm using the same version of the plugin as the Houdini the HDAs were created in.
* I have restarted Unity, my computer, reimported both the plug-in and the HDAs, and wiped and reinstalled Houdini from my computer.
* I have verified the License Server is running, and that I have an active Indie license.



* After I attempt dragging the HDA in, Unity does find a version of Houdini, but does not find my license for it.


Using Unity 2022.3.10f1 and Houdini 20.0.506.
Thanks for any help!

I have exact same issue. Did you figure it out?

Yes, I had a Houdini license but not a Houdini Engine license that I had to “purchase” for free separately and then activate in the License Manager. The branding for these products is just super fuzzy.

The Houdini license you have is a non-commercial Apprentice license. Digital Assets created in Apprentice will not load into Unity with Houdini Engine - you need at least a Houdini Indie license.

You an see here (https://www.sidefx.com/products/compare/) under Houdini Engine support that Apprentice does not work with Engine.


There is a free Houdini Engine for Unity/Unreal that is for commercial studios and does not work with Apprentice.

Yes, but as I mentioned, I wasn't creating any of the assets. I work as a Unity developer, and on this project I'm working with a Houdini artist. From a "I want to find a clear and direct way of using this stuff this guy made in the Unity project I'm in charge of" standpoint, the steps are not super clear IMO.