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7:12 p.m.
Hi,
is there a license server environment variable that Houdini can pick up
? I've noticed some of our new machines by default look for the
license server locally.
It can be easily fixed setting it correctly in hkey or adding the
.sesi_licenses.pref file in the users home directory, but i'd like to
just have it set in the environment.
I've tried using "hconfig -a" but I see no license server Vars..
Thanks
Miles

7:18 p.m.
Hola~
SESI_LMHOST is what we use.
MO
-----Original Message-----
From: sidefx-houdini-list-bounces at sidefx.com [mailto:sidefx-houdini-
list-bounces at sidefx.com] On Behalf Of Miles Green
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 4:12 PM
To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
Subject: [Sidefx-houdini-list] license server variable
Hi,
is there a license server environment variable that Houdini can pick up
? I've noticed some of our new machines by default look for the
license server locally.
It can be easily fixed setting it correctly in hkey or adding the
.sesi_licenses.pref file in the users home directory, but i'd like to
just have it set in the environment.
I've tried using "hconfig -a" but I see no license server Vars..
Thanks
Miles
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

7:38 p.m.
fantastic thanks,
On a similar note is it possible to set the order of license acquisition
for batch processes?
I've noticed our farm simulation jobs sometimes pick hmaster or hescape
before a hbatch license which can be annoying.. I'd like them to test
availability of batch licenses first, then try escape licenses then
master last
Miles
Michael K. O'Brien wrote:
Hola~
SESI_LMHOST is what we use.
MO
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sidefx-houdini-list-bounces at sidefx.com [mailto:sidefx-houdini-
> list-bounces at sidefx.com] On Behalf Of Miles Green
> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 4:12 PM
> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> Subject: [Sidefx-houdini-list] license server variable
>
> Hi,
> is there a license server environment variable that Houdini can pick up
> ? I've noticed some of our new machines by default look for the
> license server locally.
>
> It can be easily fixed setting it correctly in hkey or adding the
> .sesi_licenses.pref file in the users home directory, but i'd like to
> just have it set in the environment.
>
> I've tried using "hconfig -a" but I see no license server Vars..
>
>
> Thanks
> Miles
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>
_______________________________________________
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--
Miles Green
FX Lead
T: +61 2 9383 4800 (main)
T: +61 2 835 32378 (direct)
F: +61 2 9383 4801 (fax)
Animal Logic
*See our latest work at http://www.animallogic.com/work*
Please think of the environment before printing this email. This email
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the information contained in it. Please notify the sender immediately
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11:13 p.m.
Hi Miles,
There's a couple of ways:
1./ Set an envvar. Run this for more info:
hconfig -H HOUDINI_SCRIPT_LICENSE
2./ Copy $HFS/houdini/hserver.opt to your HSITE and modify. That has some
good options.
Cheers
On 16 October 2011 16:38, Miles Green <Miles.Green at al.com.au> wrote:
fantastic thanks,
On a similar note is it possible to set the order of license acquisition
for batch processes?
I've noticed our farm simulation jobs sometimes pick hmaster or hescape
before a hbatch license which can be annoying.. I'd like them to test
availability of batch licenses first, then try escape licenses then master
last
Miles
Michael K. O'Brien wrote:
> Hola~
>
> SESI_LMHOST is what we use.
>
> MO
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: sidefx-houdini-list-bounces(a)**sidefx.com<sidefx-houdini-list-bounces at
sidefx.com>[mailto:
>> sidefx-houdini-
>> list-bounces at sidefx.com] On Behalf Of Miles Green
>> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 4:12 PM
>> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>> Subject: [Sidefx-houdini-list] license server variable
>>
>> Hi,
>> is there a license server environment variable that Houdini can pick up
>> ? I've noticed some of our new machines by default look for the
>> license server locally.
>>
>> It can be easily fixed setting it correctly in hkey or adding the
>> .sesi_licenses.pref file in the users home directory, but i'd like to
>> just have it set in the environment.
>>
>> I've tried using "hconfig -a" but I see no license server Vars..
>>
>>
>> Thanks
>> Miles
>>
>>
>> ______________________________**_________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>>
>>
>
> ______________________________**_________________
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> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>
>
--
Miles Green
FX Lead
T: +61 2 9383 4800 (main)
T: +61 2 835 32378 (direct)
F: +61 2 9383 4801 (fax)
Animal Logic
*See our latest work at
http://www.animallogic.com/**work*<http://www.animallogic.com/work*>
Please think of the environment before printing this email. This email and
any attachments may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the
intended recipient of this email, you must not disclose or use the
information contained in it. Please notify the sender immediately and delete
this document if you have received it in error. We do not guarantee this
email is error or virus free.
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--
=======================================
Andrew D Lyons | Digital Artist | http://www.tstex.com
=======================================

9 a.m.
There's also the hbatch -R option too.
-Edward
On 16/10/2011 11:13 PM, Andrew Lyons wrote:
Hi Miles,
There's a couple of ways:
1./ Set an envvar. Run this for more info:
hconfig -H HOUDINI_SCRIPT_LICENSE
2./ Copy $HFS/houdini/hserver.opt to your HSITE and modify. That has some
good options.
Cheers
On 16 October 2011 16:38, Miles Green<Miles.Green at al.com.au> wrote:
> fantastic thanks,
>
> On a similar note is it possible to set the order of license acquisition
> for batch processes?
> I've noticed our farm simulation jobs sometimes pick hmaster or hescape
> before a hbatch license which can be annoying.. I'd like them to test
> availability of batch licenses first, then try escape licenses then master
> last
>
> Miles
>
>
>
>
> Michael K. O'Brien wrote:
>
>> Hola~
>>
>> SESI_LMHOST is what we use.
>>
>> MO
>>
>>
>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: sidefx-houdini-list-bounces(a)**sidefx.com<sidefx-houdini-list-bounces
at sidefx.com>[mailto:
>>> sidefx-houdini-
>>> list-bounces at sidefx.com] On Behalf Of Miles Green
>>> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 4:12 PM
>>> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>> Subject: [Sidefx-houdini-list] license server variable
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>> is there a license server environment variable that Houdini can pick up
>>> ? I've noticed some of our new machines by default look for the
>>> license server locally.
>>>
>>> It can be easily fixed setting it correctly in hkey or adding the
>>> .sesi_licenses.pref file in the users home directory, but i'd like to
>>> just have it set in the environment.
>>>
>>> I've tried using "hconfig -a" but I see no license server
Vars..
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Miles
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>>>
>>>
>>
>> ______________________________**_________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> Miles Green
> FX Lead
>
> T: +61 2 9383 4800 (main)
> T: +61 2 835 32378 (direct)
> F: +61 2 9383 4801 (fax)
>
> Animal Logic
>
> *See our latest work at
http://www.animallogic.com/**work*<http://www.animallogic.com/work*>
>
> Please think of the environment before printing this email. This email and
> any attachments may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the
> intended recipient of this email, you must not disclose or use the
> information contained in it. Please notify the sender immediately and delete
> this document if you have received it in error. We do not guarantee this
> email is error or virus free.
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________**_________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>

5:35 p.m.
thank Andrew/Edward,
I'll start by setting the setting 'HOUDINI_SCRIPT_LICENSE = hbatch'
and see how I go.
the help says if it's unable to find a hbatch then it will then use a
master license.. unfortunately I don't think there is an option to have
the fallback license as hescape
thanks
Miles
Edward Lam wrote:
There's also the hbatch -R option too.
-Edward
On 16/10/2011 11:13 PM, Andrew Lyons wrote:
> Hi Miles,
>
> There's a couple of ways:
>
> 1./ Set an envvar. Run this for more info:
> hconfig -H HOUDINI_SCRIPT_LICENSE
>
> 2./ Copy $HFS/houdini/hserver.opt to your HSITE and modify. That has some
> good options.
>
> Cheers
>
>
>
> On 16 October 2011 16:38, Miles Green<Miles.Green at al.com.au> wrote:
>
>
>> fantastic thanks,
>>
>> On a similar note is it possible to set the order of license acquisition
>> for batch processes?
>> I've noticed our farm simulation jobs sometimes pick hmaster or hescape
>> before a hbatch license which can be annoying.. I'd like them to test
>> availability of batch licenses first, then try escape licenses then master
>> last
>>
>> Miles
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Michael K. O'Brien wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Hola~
>>>
>>> SESI_LMHOST is what we use.
>>>
>>> MO
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From:
sidefx-houdini-list-bounces(a)**sidefx.com<sidefx-houdini-list-bounces at
sidefx.com>[mailto:
>>>> sidefx-houdini-
>>>> list-bounces at sidefx.com] On Behalf Of Miles Green
>>>> Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2011 4:12 PM
>>>> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>> Subject: [Sidefx-houdini-list] license server variable
>>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>> is there a license server environment variable that Houdini can pick up
>>>> ? I've noticed some of our new machines by default look for the
>>>> license server locally.
>>>>
>>>> It can be easily fixed setting it correctly in hkey or adding the
>>>> .sesi_licenses.pref file in the users home directory, but i'd like
to
>>>> just have it set in the environment.
>>>>
>>>> I've tried using "hconfig -a" but I see no license server
Vars..
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>> Miles
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> ______________________________**_________________
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> --
>>
>> Miles Green
>> FX Lead
>>
>> T: +61 2 9383 4800 (main)
>> T: +61 2 835 32378 (direct)
>> F: +61 2 9383 4801 (fax)
>>
>> Animal Logic
>>
>> *See our latest work at
http://www.animallogic.com/**work*<http://www.animallogic.com/work*>
>>
>> Please think of the environment before printing this email. This email and
>> any attachments may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the
>> intended recipient of this email, you must not disclose or use the
>> information contained in it. Please notify the sender immediately and delete
>> this document if you have received it in error. We do not guarantee this
>> email is error or virus free.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________**_________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/**mailman/listinfo/sidefx-**houdini-list<...
>>
>>
>
>
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
--
Miles Green
FX Lead
T: +61 2 9383 4800 (main)
T: +61 2 835 32378 (direct)
F: +61 2 9383 4801 (fax)
Animal Logic
*See our latest work at http://www.animallogic.com/work*
Please think of the environment before printing this email. This email
and any attachments may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are
not the intended recipient of this email, you must not disclose or use
the information contained in it. Please notify the sender immediately
and delete this document if you have received it in error. We do not
guarantee this email is error or virus free.

5:18 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the code/scripting side of things,
to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im not entirely sure what I want to
do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to ask everyone which programming language you
know, and what do you think some one like me could learn to get a better grasp of
scripting in Houdini.
Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would also be appreciated.
Thanks, Lawrence

5:29 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Learn Python, useful in and out of Houdini and lots of other apps
it's easy and there's a lot of help out there to learn
I can recommend you this to start
http://code.google.com/edu/languages/google-python-class/
welcome to the matrix hehe
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 3:18 PM, lawrence mayfield <
lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the code/scripting
side of things, to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im not
entirely sure what I want to do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to
ask everyone which programming language you know, and what do you think
some one like me could learn to get a better grasp of scripting in Houdini.
Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would also
be appreciated.
Thanks, Lawrence
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

5:38 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Agreed on Python, mostly for use in VFX apps. C# is probably useful for apps like Unity.
Also check out Udacity.com for a great (free)Python class.
On Jul 13, 2012, at 2:29 PM, Alvaro Castaneda wrote:
Learn Python, useful in and out of Houdini and lots of other apps
it's easy and there's a lot of help out there to learn
I can recommend you this to start
http://code.google.com/edu/languages/google-python-class/
welcome to the matrix hehe
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 3:18 PM, lawrence mayfield <
lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the code/scripting
> side of things, to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im not
> entirely sure what I want to do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to
> ask everyone which programming language you know, and what do you think
> some one like me could learn to get a better grasp of scripting in Houdini.
>
>
> Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would also
> be appreciated.
> Thanks, Lawrence
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>
_______________________________________________
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Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

5:44 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
There are a number of open learning courses which utilize CG related
languages. I've used Python a bit in production but am planning to
start MIT's course as soon as this deadline is done:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-...
And have had a great time making my way through Harvard's C-based CS50:
http://cs50.tv/2011/fall/
While not directly CG related, the courses cover many things (I wish I
did better) you'll run into...
Cheers,
--
----
Christopher Stewart
Vancouver, BC
3D TD | VFX IT
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 2:18 PM, lawrence mayfield
<lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the code/scripting side of things,
to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im not entirely sure what I want to
do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to ask everyone which programming language you
know, and what do you think some one like me could learn to get a better grasp of
scripting in Houdini.
Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would also be
appreciated.
Thanks, Lawrence
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

6:07 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
For computer graphics, the main language is C++ (to do plug-ins, efficient shaders...)/
At a higher level, Python is also used so that artists can be able to code (inside the 3D
software, or just to do some utilities scripts).
The low level languages are CUDA, OpenCL, OpenGL...

7:03 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
It might be best to decide what it is you want to accomplish with code/scripts first. ie
you prob wouldnt go out an buy a hammer because you want to build 'something' but
rather decide you want to focus on birdhouses, or roofing etc.. then decide which tools
are best for the job.
Houdini has many languages you can use including hscript/expressions, hython/hom, c++/hdk,
VEX, and a bunch of slightly more obscure ones which I believe include java, tcl and
others. ?If you like shaders, VEX would be the most useful and make an easy transition to
RSL for renderman and a slightly less easy transition to metaSL. ?If you want to right
pipline scripts python/qt may be yourbest friend, but for plugs that need to handle alot
of data to slow compared to C++. For day to day use for expressions the older hscript
expression may be a good place to start (although python has near replaced hscript for
most pipeline and parsing script %90 of the expressions i have encountered are still in
hscript).
Sooo.. Id decide on a project first and then choose the best tool for the job. Trying to
grasp it all at once can be just as overwhelming as trying to learn the whole app at once
from the gui standpoint instead of focusing on a single context intially.
________________________________
From: Oodini <svdbg at free.fr>
To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2012 6:07 PM
Subject: Re: [Sidefx-houdini-list] Artist interested in code
For computer graphics, the main language is C++ (to do plug-ins, efficient shaders...)/
At a higher level, Python is also used so that artists can be able to code (inside the 3D
software, or just to do some utilities scripts).
The low level languages are CUDA, OpenCL, OpenGL...
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

7:12 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very easy.
Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all of us.
For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he wouldn't have
known the difference. :P
-Lu

7:56 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Hey I said Python
that's a good nice first language to learn
and very extensible.
so Again, learn PYTHON
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmonkey at gmail.com> wrote:
You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very
easy.
Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all of us.
For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he wouldn't have
known the difference. :P
-Lu
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

8:24 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Id like to thank everyone for their advice. Python looks like a popular vote. Right now,
the trick for me is coming from 0% experience, its to learn or at least understand how one
language differs from the other. From my glasses, its all text on a white screen. So as I
read, Im curious on what exactly makes Python special, and what can one do with it?
But Im assuming this comes over time with experience and learning. C# is also something
that looks interesting. Would it be too conflicting to just learn the basics of both?
Games and FX are both something really fascinating. Although, with Houdini, the entire
package is interesting, games or not.
Thanks everyone!
From: varomix at gmail.com
Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:56:56 -0600
To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
Subject: Re: [Sidefx-houdini-list] Artist interested in code
Hey I said Python
that's a good nice first language to learn
and very extensible.
so Again, learn PYTHON
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmonkey at gmail.com> wrote:
> You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very easy.
> Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all of us.
> For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he wouldn't have
> known the difference. :P
>
> -Lu
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

9:21 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Coming from zero experience? Python all the way. A lot of 'real'
programmers will prototype things in Python first because it's easy to
test in, then port it to C(++) for speed when they are satisfied with
their algorithms.
You can code that way in Houdini, too. Prototype a custom SOP in a
Python SOP, then re-make it with the HDK for speed. Or a COP. Good
stuff.
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 8:24 PM, lawrence mayfield
<lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
Id like to thank everyone for their advice. Python looks like a popular vote. Right now,
the trick for me is coming from 0% experience, its to learn or at least understand how one
language differs from the other. From my glasses, its all text on a white screen. So as I
read, Im curious on what exactly makes Python special, and what can one do with it?
But Im assuming this comes over time with experience and learning. C# is also something
that looks interesting. Would it be too conflicting to just learn the basics of both?
Games and FX are both something really fascinating. Although, with Houdini, the entire
package is interesting, games or not.
Thanks everyone!
> From: varomix at gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:56:56 -0600
> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> Subject: Re: [Sidefx-houdini-list] Artist interested in code
>
> Hey I said Python
> that's a good nice first language to learn
> and very extensible.
> so Again, learn PYTHON
>
> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmonkey at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very easy.
> > Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all of us.
> > For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he wouldn't have
> > known the difference. :P
> >
> > -Lu
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> > Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> > https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

9:27 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
On the surface Python is absolutely the way to go, especially if you want to
"script" Houdin.
I'd argue that there's much more to be gained from learning VEX/VOPS and using
that as a basis for what it is you want to do.
.m
On Jul 14, 2012, at 3:21 AM, jon parker <parker.jon at gmail.com> wrote:
Coming from zero experience? Python all the way. A lot of
'real'
programmers will prototype things in Python first because it's easy to
test in, then port it to C(++) for speed when they are satisfied with
their algorithms.
You can code that way in Houdini, too. Prototype a custom SOP in a
Python SOP, then re-make it with the HDK for speed. Or a COP. Good
stuff.
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 8:24 PM, lawrence mayfield
<lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Id like to thank everyone for their advice. Python looks like a popular vote. Right
now, the trick for me is coming from 0% experience, its to learn or at least understand
how one language differs from the other. From my glasses, its all text on a white screen.
So as I read, Im curious on what exactly makes Python special, and what can one do with
it?
> But Im assuming this comes over time with experience and learning. C# is also
something that looks interesting. Would it be too conflicting to just learn the basics of
both? Games and FX are both something really fascinating. Although, with Houdini, the
entire package is interesting, games or not.
> Thanks everyone!
>
>> From: varomix at gmail.com
>> Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:56:56 -0600
>> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>> Subject: Re: [Sidefx-houdini-list] Artist interested in code
>>
>> Hey I said Python
>> that's a good nice first language to learn
>> and very extensible.
>> so Again, learn PYTHON
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmonkey at gmail.com>
wrote:
>>
>>> You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very easy.
>>> Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all of us.
>>> For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he wouldn't
have
>>> known the difference. :P
>>>
>>> -Lu
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

9:27 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Probably what you need to do first is understand how to "think" like a
programmer. For that reason courses like Udacity or others that give you a background in
they why and how of programming in general could be useful, vs something that dives
straight into the language itself.
In the end what you want to be able to do is to tackle problems in the right way. When it
comes to syntax etc...you can always use references etc...
In my limited experience, learning multiple languages can only be beneficial as you can
see how a given thing is done in one language and then you can learn by translating it
into another...
Alex
On Jul 13, 2012, at 5:24 PM, lawrence mayfield wrote:
Id like to thank everyone for their advice. Python looks like a popular vote. Right now,
the trick for me is coming from 0% experience, its to learn or at least understand how one
language differs from the other. From my glasses, its all text on a white screen. So as I
read, Im curious on what exactly makes Python special, and what can one do with it?
But Im assuming this comes over time with experience and learning. C# is also something
that looks interesting. Would it be too conflicting to just learn the basics of both?
Games and FX are both something really fascinating. Although, with Houdini, the entire
package is interesting, games or not.
Thanks everyone!
> From: varomix at gmail.com
> Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:56:56 -0600
> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> Subject: Re: [Sidefx-houdini-list] Artist interested in code
>
> Hey I said Python
> that's a good nice first language to learn
> and very extensible.
> so Again, learn PYTHON
>
> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmonkey at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very easy.
>> Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all of us.
>> For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he wouldn't have
>> known the difference. :P
>>
>> -Lu
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

11:07 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Im seeing that there is a large difference between python 2 and python
3. It says that some developers dont support 3 just yet.
Being new, which of these will I want to start learning on?
Thanks,
Law
On 7/13/2012 8:27 PM, mondi wrote:
On the surface Python is absolutely the way to go, especially if you
want to "script" Houdin.
I'd argue that there's much more to be gained from learning VEX/VOPS and using
that as a basis for what it is you want to do.
.m
On Jul 14, 2012, at 3:21 AM, jon parker <parker.jon at gmail.com> wrote:
> Coming from zero experience? Python all the way. A lot of 'real'
> programmers will prototype things in Python first because it's easy to
> test in, then port it to C(++) for speed when they are satisfied with
> their algorithms.
>
> You can code that way in Houdini, too. Prototype a custom SOP in a
> Python SOP, then re-make it with the HDK for speed. Or a COP. Good
> stuff.
>
> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 8:24 PM, lawrence mayfield
> <lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Id like to thank everyone for their advice. Python looks like a popular vote.
Right now, the trick for me is coming from 0% experience, its to learn or at least
understand how one language differs from the other. From my glasses, its all text on a
white screen. So as I read, Im curious on what exactly makes Python special, and what can
one do with it?
>> But Im assuming this comes over time with experience and learning. C# is also
something that looks interesting. Would it be too conflicting to just learn the basics of
both? Games and FX are both something really fascinating. Although, with Houdini, the
entire package is interesting, games or not.
>> Thanks everyone!
>>
>>> From: varomix at gmail.com
>>> Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:56:56 -0600
>>> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>> Subject: Re: [Sidefx-houdini-list] Artist interested in code
>>>
>>> Hey I said Python
>>> that's a good nice first language to learn
>>> and very extensible.
>>> so Again, learn PYTHON
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmonkey at gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>
>>>> You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very easy.
>>>> Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all of
us.
>>>> For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he wouldn't
have
>>>> known the difference. :P
>>>>
>>>> -Lu
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

12:21 a.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Just use python 2. Most tutorials you'll find will be based on 2. Many libraries you
may want to use will also only be available in 2. No need to deal with all of that while
trying to learn the language. The changes between the two are small enough that you could
make the move to python3 without too much trouble anway, if you managed to get comfortable
with 2.
Nearly every Python graphics library I use is still tied to Python 2.
On Jul 13, 2012, at 8:07 PM, Lawrence Mayfield <lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com>
wrote:
Im seeing that there is a large difference between python 2 and
python 3. It says that some developers dont support 3 just yet.
Being new, which of these will I want to start learning on?
Thanks,
Law
On 7/13/2012 8:27 PM, mondi wrote:
> On the surface Python is absolutely the way to go, especially if you want to
"script" Houdin.
>
> I'd argue that there's much more to be gained from learning VEX/VOPS and
using that as a basis for what it is you want to do.
>
> .m
>
>
> On Jul 14, 2012, at 3:21 AM, jon parker <parker.jon at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Coming from zero experience? Python all the way. A lot of 'real'
>> programmers will prototype things in Python first because it's easy to
>> test in, then port it to C(++) for speed when they are satisfied with
>> their algorithms.
>>
>> You can code that way in Houdini, too. Prototype a custom SOP in a
>> Python SOP, then re-make it with the HDK for speed. Or a COP. Good
>> stuff.
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 8:24 PM, lawrence mayfield
>> <lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> Id like to thank everyone for their advice. Python looks like a popular vote.
Right now, the trick for me is coming from 0% experience, its to learn or at least
understand how one language differs from the other. From my glasses, its all text on a
white screen. So as I read, Im curious on what exactly makes Python special, and what can
one do with it?
>>> But Im assuming this comes over time with experience and learning. C# is also
something that looks interesting. Would it be too conflicting to just learn the basics of
both? Games and FX are both something really fascinating. Although, with Houdini, the
entire package is interesting, games or not.
>>> Thanks everyone!
>>>
>>>> From: varomix at gmail.com
>>>> Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:56:56 -0600
>>>> To: sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>> Subject: Re: [Sidefx-houdini-list] Artist interested in code
>>>>
>>>> Hey I said Python
>>>> that's a good nice first language to learn
>>>> and very extensible.
>>>> so Again, learn PYTHON
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 5:12 PM, Meng-Yang Lu <ntmonkey at
gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> You guys all screwed up. Shoulda told him CUDA and OpenCL is very
easy.
>>>>> Then trick him into writing some bomb GPU accelerated tools for all
of us.
>>>>> For someone not having any previous experience in coding, he
wouldn't have
>>>>> known the difference. :P
>>>>>
>>>>> -Lu
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>
>
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

12:28 a.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Welcome Lawrence,
I came from a similar background many, many years ago. Most tutorials
start you out manipulating strings or arrays of numbers, and just get
more boring from there. It was tough at first, but what kept me going
was writing code that made "pictures". Put a pixel on the screen, then
two pixels, then connect them to make a line, then move them to animate
the line, etc, etc.
I'm not saying you should start out this simple... but getting immediate
visual feedback from your code may be more rewarding and likely to keep
you interested and challenged enough to keep going.
Good luck... you'll be happy you took the plunge.
Floyd
> So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the
code/scripting
> side of things, to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im not
> entirely sure what I want to do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to
> ask everyone which programming language you know, and what do you think
> some one like me could learn to get a better grasp of scripting in Houdini.
>
>
> Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would also
> be appreciated.
> Thanks, Lawrence
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

4:15 a.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
Python for sure, but "the basics" really are the same between
languages. once you know what an if/then/else and a for loop are, how
variables work etc, then learning the other languages is "just"
syntax.
Since Python is used in Houdini, Maya and Nuke (aka "the big 3") plus
it's super easy compared to other languages, I recommend you start
there.
Cheers,
Peter B
On 13 July 2012 21:28, Floyd Gillis <floyd at afcg.com> wrote:
Welcome Lawrence,
I came from a similar background many, many years ago. Most tutorials start
you out manipulating strings or arrays of numbers, and just get more boring
from there. It was tough at first, but what kept me going was writing code
that made "pictures". Put a pixel on the screen, then two pixels, then
connect them to make a line, then move them to animate the line, etc, etc.
I'm not saying you should start out this simple... but getting immediate
visual feedback from your code may be more rewarding and likely to keep you
interested and challenged enough to keep going.
Good luck... you'll be happy you took the plunge.
Floyd
>> So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the code/scripting
>> side of things, to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im
>> not
>> entirely sure what I want to do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to
>> ask everyone which programming language you know, and what do you think
>> some one like me could learn to get a better grasp of scripting in
>> Houdini.
>>
>>
>> Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would
>> also
>> be appreciated.
>> Thanks, Lawrence
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
>> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
>> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
>
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
--
Cheers,
Peter B
--No, I am not on Facebook.

11:34 a.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
These are great links
Thanks Chris
Neil Scholes
+44(0) 7977 456 197
www.uvfilms.co.uk
On 13 Jul 2012, at 22:44, Christopher Stewart wrote:
There are a number of open learning courses which utilize CG related
languages. I've used Python a bit in production but am planning to
start MIT's course as soon as this deadline is done:
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-...
And have had a great time making my way through Harvard's C-based CS50:
http://cs50.tv/2011/fall/
While not directly CG related, the courses cover many things (I wish I
did better) you'll run into...
Cheers,
--
----
Christopher Stewart
Vancouver, BC
3D TD | VFX IT
On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 2:18 PM, lawrence mayfield
<lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the code/scripting side of
things, to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im not entirely sure what I
want to do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to ask everyone which programming
language you know, and what do you think some one like me could learn to get a better
grasp of scripting in Houdini.
>
>
> Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would also be
appreciated.
> Thanks, Lawrence
> _______________________________________________
> Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
> Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
> https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list

1:43 p.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
'yer welcome.
If you are anything like me (and spent your school days on classics
and theatre instead of sciences and math), spending time on
introductory CS courses can work well. If just to give one a
vocabulary with which to approach more 3d oriented tasks.
And when the inevitable math goes vertical, sites like
http://www.khanacademy.org/ can help one over the triggy humps (as
does wandering into IT and asking "whether anybody would like to help
you with your math homework" :-).
ps. http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor/
Cheers,
Christopher
Christopher Stewart
Vancouver, BC
3D TD | VFX IT
On Sat, Jul 14, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Neil Scholes <neil at uvfilms.co.uk> wrote:
These are great links
Thanks Chris
Neil Scholes
+44(0) 7977 456 197
www.uvfilms.co.uk
On 13 Jul 2012, at 22:44, Christopher Stewart wrote:
> There are a number of open learning courses which utilize CG related
> languages. I've used Python a bit in production but am planning to
> start MIT's course as soon as this deadline is done:
>
>
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-...
>
> And have had a great time making my way through Harvard's C-based CS50:
>
> http://cs50.tv/2011/fall/
>
> While not directly CG related, the courses cover many things (I wish I
> did better) you'll run into...
>
> Cheers,
>
> --
> ----
>
> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 2:18 PM, lawrence mayfield
> <lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the code/scripting side of
things, to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As of now, Im not entirely sure what I
want to do, or what I need to know. But I wanted to ask everyone which programming
language you know, and what do you think some one like me could learn to get a better
grasp of scripting in Houdini.
>>
>>
>> Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would also be
appreciated.
>> Thanks, Lawrence

11:11 a.m.
New subject: Artist interested in code
I agree with mondi... it'd be best to determine what it is you actually
want to accomplish.
For what it's worth, if you're an artist, and not a TD, and you want a
better grasp of the software, I'd start with trying to build some shaders
using VOPS or VEX and then try translating that into a geometry context. Or
making use of CHOPS. You can accomplish *a lot* in Houdini without python.
If on the other hand you're trying to set-up pipeline tools that will do
stuff like mass renaming of nodes... then sure, python.
On Sat, Jul 14, 2012 at 10:43 AM, Christopher Stewart <
stonesoupdigital at gmail.com> wrote:
'yer welcome.
If you are anything like me (and spent your school days on classics
and theatre instead of sciences and math), spending time on
introductory CS courses can work well. If just to give one a
vocabulary with which to approach more 3d oriented tasks.
And when the inevitable math goes vertical, sites like
http://www.khanacademy.org/ can help one over the triggy humps (as
does wandering into IT and asking "whether anybody would like to help
you with your math homework" :-).
ps. http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor/
Cheers,
Christopher
Christopher Stewart
Vancouver, BC
3D TD | VFX IT
On Sat, Jul 14, 2012 at 8:34 AM, Neil Scholes <neil at uvfilms.co.uk> wrote:
> These are great links
>
> Thanks Chris
>
>
> Neil Scholes
>
> +44(0) 7977 456 197
> www.uvfilms.co.uk
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 13 Jul 2012, at 22:44, Christopher Stewart wrote:
>
>> There are a number of open learning courses which utilize CG related
>> languages. I've used Python a bit in production but am planning to
>> start MIT's course as soon as this deadline is done:
>>
>>
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-...
>>
>> And have had a great time making my way through Harvard's C-based CS50:
>>
>> http://cs50.tv/2011/fall/
>>
>> While not directly CG related, the courses cover many things (I wish I
>> did better) you'll run into...
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> --
>> ----
>>
>> On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 2:18 PM, lawrence mayfield
>> <lawrencemayfield at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> So Im 100% artist. And I am interested in diving into the
code/scripting side of things, to maybe get a better grasp of the tool. As
of now, Im not entirely sure what I want to do, or what I need to know. But
I wanted to ask everyone which programming language you know, and what do
you think some one like me could learn to get a better grasp of scripting
in Houdini.
>>>
>>>
>>> Right now, from advice I have C# in my sights. Any other advice would
also be appreciated.
>>> Thanks, Lawrence
_______________________________________________
Sidefx-houdini-list mailing list
Sidefx-houdini-list at sidefx.com
https://lists.sidefx.com:443/mailman/listinfo/sidefx-houdini-list
--
Cheers!
Stephen G. Tucker
http://www.allegrodigital.com
2407
days inactive
2685
days old
24 comments
18 participants
participants (18)
-
Alex Czetwertynski
-
Alvaro Castaneda
-
Andrew Lyons
-
Christopher Stewart
-
Dan Schneider
-
Edward Lam
-
Floyd Gillis
-
jon parker
-
Lawrence Mayfield
-
Meng-Yang Lu
-
Michael O'Brien
-
Miles Green
-
mondi
-
Neil Scholes
-
Oodini
-
Peter Bowmar
-
Stephen Gustafson
-
Stephen Tucker