In this tutorial we’ll focus on two extremely powerful tools inside of Houdini: VEX and solvers. VEX is houdini’s scripting language. It is multithreaded (which means fast) and based on C (which means it’s also similar to Processing, Arduino, Java, Javascript, C++ and C#).

Solvers on the other hand allow you to repeat operations over and over again. More precisely they allow you to perform a sequence of operations on the previous results of that same operations. They come in very handy when building any kind of simulation. Also oncfe you grasp the concept they are rather straightforward.

We’re gonna use both VEX and a solver in order to plot strange attractors. Withouth going into too much detail: Strange attractors are a set of formulas that (usually) move a point around in 3D space. The resulting curve from that motion looks quite appealing and (when rendered properly) is a nice addition in your generative toolkit.

As a reference for anything about strange attractors, this site comes in quite handy (it’s german but google translate does a fair job).

Download Project File (.hipnc)

CREATED BY

Pixelkram
MORITZ SCHWIND

Still thinks “Space: 1999” is the coolest thing that ever happened on german TV. Be it pixels, hardware, code or cameras – if it’s interesting, Moritz is gonna take it apart. And sometimes even reassemble it. In his spare time he likes to dabble with code and create generative artwork. He claims his early exposure to QBasic is no help at all when working in Houdini, Cinema 4D, Processing or Arduino. But it might have been what started his fascination for the boundaries of code and art. When not wreaking havoc to any intriguing devices around him, he works as a freelance Art Director / Technical Director.

More from Moritz Schwind

#Houdini#VEX

COMMENTS

  • Que_Caldway3 7 years, 2 months ago  | 

    This was information that was simply beyond valuable! Explained very well! Although it can be a bit overwhelming learning, you made this look possible! Amazing stuff! Can't wait to see more of tutorials like these!
    Much appreciated indeed!

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