Archive notice: This article was originally published on December 3, 2013. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
According to Side Effects Software, Houdini Engine allows both film and game studios to load Houdini Digital Assets into their applications. Houdini Engine therefore enables work with a procedural workflow and gives artists access to all new Houdini 13 features. The plug-ins were written with the current Houdini Engine API 1.5, which adds texture baking, volume support and more. The special thing about volume support is that it allows artists to work in Houdini Engine with assets built using Pyro or Cloud FX tools.
Maya and Unity artists can currently test Houdini Engine free of charge; with feedback from users, Side Effetcs Software wants to turn the tech preview into a commercial product. To gain access to Houdini Engine, artists can download the latest version of Houdini or the free Houdini Apprentice Learning Edition at www.sidefx.com and install the experimental plug-ins together with the Houdini software. Assets created in Houdini or Apprentice can then be loaded into Maya and Unity with the Houdini Engine plug-ins.
A library of digital assets that can be used in both Maya and Unity is currently being built at the Orbolt Smart 3D Asset Store.
In this video you can see how Houdini Engine works:
Introducing the Houdini Engine from Go Procedural on Vimeo.
Side Effects Software has published a series of tutorials showing more about the Houdini Engine workflow with Autodesk Maya and Unity. You can find them here.
In the current DP issue 01/14, which appears on December 11, you will find a more detailed article about Houdini Engine.
You can find all further information here.
Image: Side Effects Software
