
This has led to a higher learning curve than other comparable tools. Houdini's set of tools are mostly implemented as operators. In this way Houdini can be regarded as a highly interactive visual programming toolkit which makes programming more accessible to artists. In this way users can create their own sophisticated tools without the need for programming. This node graph architecture is similar to that employed in node-based compositors such as Shake or Nuke.Ĭomplex networks can be grouped into a single meta-operator node which behaves like a class definition, and can be instantiated in other networks like any compiled node. This data could represent 3D geometry, bitmap images, particles, dynamics, shader algorithms, animation, audio, or a combination of these. Data flows through, manipulated by each operator in turn.

Operators are connected together in networks.

ELASTIC REALITY ALTERNATIVE FULL
Compositing – full compositor of floating-point deep (layered) images.Volumetrics – With its native CloudFx and PyroFx toolsets, Houdini can create clouds, smoke and fire simulations.Rendering – Houdini ships with SideFX's rendering engines Mantra and Karma Houdini Indie licence and up support 3rd party rendering engines, such as Renderman, Octane, Arnold, Redshift, V-ray, Maxwell(soon).Lighting – node-based shader authoring, lighting and re-lighting in an IPR viewer.Dynamics – Rigid Body Dynamics, Fluid Dynamics, Wire Dynamics, Cloth Simulation, Crowd simulation.Animation – Keyframed animation and raw channel manipulation (CHOPs), motion capture support.Modeling – All standard geometry entities including Polygons, (Hierarchical) NURBS/Bézier Curves/Patches & Trims, Metaballs.Houdini covers all the major areas of 3D production, including these:
ELASTIC REALITY ALTERNATIVE SOFTWARE
SideFX also publishes Houdini Apprentice, a limited version of the software that is free of charge for non-commercial use. It has been used in many feature animation productions, including Disney's feature films Fantasia 2000, Frozen, and Zootopia the Blue Sky Studios film Rio, and DNA Productions' Ant Bully. It is used by major VFX companies such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Double Negative, ILM, MPC, Framestore, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Method Studios and The Mill.


Houdini is most commonly used for the creation of visual effects in film and games. Some of its procedural features have been in existence since 1987. The procedural tools are used to produce different effects such as complex reflections, animations and particles system. Houdini is a 3D animation software application developed by Toronto-based SideFX, who adapted it from the PRISMS suite of procedural generation software tools.
