ZibraVDB: Shrinking Volumes, Expanding Possibilities
ZibraVDB compresses OpenVDB files up to 100x, enabling real-time volumetric effects in Unreal Engine and Houdini for virtual production and game development.
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SideFX Houdini
356 posts
The Grove 2.2: Cutting-Edge Tree Tech Goes Cross-Platform
The Grove 2.2 brings a radical tech boost with a new Skeleton tool, optimized simulations, and unified naming for Houdini and Blender.
Cinema 4D 2025.2: Feature Dump, Incoming
Cinema 4D 2025.2 delivers a host of new features—from enhanced camera modes to particle controls and Rocket Lasso Capsules—with extensive bug fixes.
Red Poppies, Bears and Open Source!
Polish war drama Red Poppies (Czerwone Maki) brings the Battle of Monte Cassino to the big screen with over 400 VFX shots, 120 of which were crafted by Polish VFX studio Imaginary Pixels. And the team relied on open-source tools?
Mufasa heads to MPC
The Prequel of a remake of a animated movie, based on a Shakespeare play... and still worth watching! We got a Chance to talk to Audrey Ferrara, MPCs VFX Supervisor for Mufasa
Stretch Your Geometry: Relax Deformer for Houdini Promises Smooth Latex-Like Results
A new Houdini deformer makes geometry bend like latex, offering smoother results for VFX artists — check the details and usability here.
Project Grot’s Houdini Tools: Ruins and Flesh for Free
Procedural ruins and flesh generation tools from Project Grot now available for Houdini users. Free to download—test them before they test your patience.
SideFX Offers Free Houdini Muscle Masterclass
If you already know your New Years resolution to get "fit" will fail as miserably as always: Why not change the objective and build muscles in Houdini?
Procedural Texturing using Houdini and MaterialX
Learn how Houdini's MaterialX simplifies procedural texturing for VFX artists, with a focus on efficient shading and rendering workflows.
Andreas Weidman’s Project Greylight: Free Tools for Houdini Artists
Project Greylight by Andreas Weidman offers Houdini users free tools to streamline Solaris workflows, USD management, and integration with Unreal Engine.
“Grease Pencil” hPaint for Houdini
hPaint now extends Grease Pencil-like features for Houdini 20.5 in one easy to use HDA.
New Cloth Creation Toolset for Houdini: A First Look
Houdini Artits introduce a new cloth and curves creation toolset basend on the drawing of Curves.
Free Houdini Animation Tutorial Now Available
A new free tutorial for learning animation in Houdini has been released. Ideal for artists looking to expand their skills in procedural workflows.
Modeler 2025 Released for Houdini
Modeler 2025 brings a complete rewrite of the Houdini modeling toolkit, introducing new retopology features and enhanced usability for artists.
A beastly good choice
The in-depth investigation of a FullCGI production with Houdini KineFX, Grooming and V-ray in Solaris.
Here comes the new Houdini
SideFX releases Houdini 20.5 with new features such as the MPM Solver and Copernicus that revolutionise the VFX workflow.
USD, Solaris and Karma in Houdini 20 (and elsewhere…)
Solaris saw the light of day 4 years ago in Houdini 18. When I tried it out for the first time back then, it was still very bumpy and initially put me off. One crash followed another. If that happens today, then it's probably due to the graphics card driver, which is supposed to be up to date.
Monkeys, the fourth
The time has come: the next part of the "Planet of the Apes" saga - now number four - will be released in cinemas on 8 May. And that's why we simply asked Weta how they - instead of the apes - built the environment.
C&R.me – post-production in the cloud
It's been a few years now since the term "cloud" has gone from buzzword to hype to working reality - but so far there are
very few tools that can do everything in the cloud. Sure, some tools have access or even their "own clouds", but wouldn't an "everything in the cloud" solution be better?
Houdini 20
The long-awaited update has finally been released and brings with it a whole host of new features. So many, in fact, that a special issue would be worthwhile. For now, here's an overview and an in-depth article on rendering by Olaf Finkbeiner in the next issue.
We Hunt Giants
The short film "We Hunt Giants" takes the viewer into a world in which humans and dinosaurs fight for survival. Action, drama and CGI - without a Hollywood budget in the millions. Here is a brief insight into the making of the film and its visual effects.
The easy Cloudrendering?
There are many, many companies offering cloudrendering services – and most tell you how you can tweak everything, you have all the control –
and therefor you also need a TD and DEEP pockets, because the first time the bill from the cloud infrastructure arrives, it’s going to be massive.
Our Universe of… Houdini?
Who would have thought that one of our favourite documentaries seen this year would come from Bristol?
Elementary!
You’ve surely seen the posters: There’s a new Pixar movie, this time asking “What if the Aristotelian elements have feelings?” The story plays out in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together.
Direct Modeling (R)evolution für Houdini
For most people, the idea of modelling directly in Houdini causes them to break out in a sweat at the very least, and some are even said to have thrown the mouse out of the window in sheer horror. The reasons for this are understandable at first glance.
The Beauty
This year's FMX trailer is "The Beauty" - if you're thinking "that looks familiar", you're right. The 2019 project won a number of awards, including an Animago "Jury Prize"
of the Jury". So it's all the better that
we can now show this film to even more people!
Ballerina: CGI-Fantasie mit C4D, Character Creator und iClone
Behind every ballet performance are ... Character Creator, iClone and Cinema 4D?
Already played Houdini 19.5?
... or still learning? With the latest edition of Houdini Foundations, the reference book by Houdini expert Robert Magee, artists learn the 3D programme Houdini from the ground up.
VERTAGT – VFX for a dystopian satire
What does the cultural programme actually look like in a dystopia? The short film Vertagt depicts the end-time scenario of a humanity that has not achieved its climate goals. What could our future look like - if human life still exists?
Black Adam!
The DC Universe has a new “Hero” – well, not really a hero, but you’ll have to watch the movie for that. What is one of the best entries into that universe though, is Digital Domains work in the beginning – the “Introduction” of Black Adam is a superpower-extravaganza, with super-speed, bullets everywhere, punching through walls and a healthy dose of electricity – and we asked DD’s Supervisor Nikos Kalaitzidis how that was done.
Strange New Worlds in Norway
When we talked about the Virtual Production of Strange New Worlds, we only talked about one side – the interiors and strange
planets. But Star Trek is called STAR Trek –
so who made the Spaceships?
The Wild Wild Witcher
Grabbing two Bafta (British Academy Television and Craft) Awards in 2022,
the second season of "The Witcher” has tons and tons of eye candy. Winning in the categories Make-Up & Hair and Visual & Graphic Effects, this colossal fantasy saga is filled to the brim with magic effects – but who did put the magic on the screen?
How to create materials faster in Houdini?
The lead game artist of mobile game developer Nordeus shows how 3D materials can be generated more efficiently with Houdini and Substance 3D Sampler.
How to transfer Houdini Curves to Unreal Engine 5?
In his twelve-minute video tutorial, technical artist Simon Verstraete shows how the Curves tool works in Houdini - and how to export it to UE 5.
SideFX Labs releases how-to video for Remesh SOP!
For Houdini users: Speed up remeshing? This two-minute video shows how it works. Plus: Many more Houdini tutorials!
How do Fluid Nodes work in Houdini 19.5?
Technology artist and Houdini user Simon Verstraete shows how it's done: His tutorial video provides an introduction to Houdini's Fluid Nodes - using a lively practical example with plastic toys.
City Generator mit Houdini und UE 5!
Tech artist and Houdini expert Simon Verstraete presents his procedural city generator. This was created with: Unreal Engine 5, Houdini - and Point Clouds & Curve Nodes.
SideFX releases Houdini 19.5
Atmosphere at the launch event in Canada: Version 19.5 of the important VFX software is presented! Which functions increase the usefulness of this great tool?
Houdini publishes the Games Reel 2022
From triple-A to indie crown jewels: the latest Houdini Reel focussing on computer games brings them all together - the lead cars from Forza Horizon, the racing cars from Gran Turismo, and other gaming stars with injectors!
SideFX announces: Houdini 19.5
The launch event for the new Houdini - together with Game Workshops: Live and on site in Canada, or as a stream afterwards.
Houdini 19.5: I/O – UI – RBD -FLIP – PYRO – UX ..
There are no completely new features in the Houdini 19.5 update this time. Rather, there are fundamental revisions to the most important functionalities of Houdini: RBD Rigid Body Dynamics and Fluids Simulations. I/O, i.e. input & output, is another topic that extends across all tools. And as expected, there are some user interface standardisations and improvements - especially in the interactive tools. Let's dive right in!
Filmmaking with Houdini and Unreal Engine
Guido Ponzini's ten-hour course covers Houdini-to-Unreal workflows, look development, procedural buildings, cameras and finishing.
Free asset package with small parts
For the model makers among you: This asset library for Houdini 18.5 guarantees Greeble-like feelings!
Generate books (shelves) with this Houdini add-on
For a mere 15 US dollars you can create procedural book shelves - with "Houdini's BooKit - Creative Procedural Library"!
Houdini | Tutorial Tuesday
Great terraforming in just 13 videos? The game artist from Belgrade makes it possible - with dust, fire and water!
Project Titan Tests Houdini with UE5
SideFX's Project Titan uses Houdini procedural workflows, Unreal Engine 5 and KitBash3D assets to build a cyberpunk city.
Axiom 2.1 | Release
An explosion in the viewport! Is Michael Bay behind this? No, the latest version of the popular Fluid Solver for Houdini is just rattling around here.
Houdini | Tutorial
Pride of the (Hungarian) nation: Artist from Industrial Light and Magic pulls up neo-Gothic architecture!
Edge Smooth OB | Release
For Houdini: This tool is just a stone's throw away from the next useful tool!
Houdini Game Jam 2021 Announced
SideFX announced its December 2021 Houdini Game Jam, with temporary licences and prizes for teams building games around a revealed theme.
Motion Design Show | Saul Espinosa
Is there a Decepticon hiding behind this racing sled? A Terrorcon? Or just an Autobot?
Houdini to Unreal Terrain Tutorial
A 30-minute tutorial demonstrates a terrain workflow using lidar data, Houdini and Unreal Engine for environment production.
Houdini-style predetermined breaking points
Review: In DP 03 : 2019, Rainer Duda confronts the predetermined breaking point Houdini 17 aka "Codename Banshee" - and breaks it?
Houdini 19 | Release
Sparks of functionality: Will the new Houdini ignite sooner than expected?
Houdini | Game Reel
A beach holiday for the eyes: Houdini ingratiates itself into game development pipelines.
Creating Destructible Objects with Unreal Engine 4 and Blender
A tutorial demonstrated how to build destructible objects by combining Blender asset preparation with an Unreal Engine 4 destruction workflow.
USD | Article
From Chaos Group: Universal Scene Description - in the flow of time, or fishing in the mud?
Dune Solver | Release
For Houdini: counting grains of sand - just like on the desert planet.
Houdini 18.5 | Tutorial
Physical Lens and Focus Plane: catastrophically cryptic for you? Not anymore, because..
Weta Digital & SideFX | Economy
Houdini goes on holiday to Windy Wellington: partnership with Wetah.
Houdini and Unreal Engine Power a Scalable Cliff Generator
ArtFX technical artist Lucas Dziura explains a scalable procedural cliff generator built with Houdini and Unreal Engine 4.
Direct modelling: modelling without obstacles
Review: In DP 01 : 2020, our author Rainer Duda took a closer look at the steep learning curve of VFX powerhouse Houdini - and revealed how the curve can be smoothed out.
Houdini Engine Becomes Free for Unreal and Unity
SideFX makes Houdini Engine free for commercial Unreal Engine 4 and Unity projects, enabling procedural assets without engine licence fees.
Tutorial | Houdini
With Sessions Sync: Start procedural tools in two applications in parallel.
Houdini becomes hyperactive
Once again, SideFX doesn't do things by halves. The new Houdini 18.5 is packed with classic updates, but also with completely redesigned tools.
Tutorial Introduces a Procedural Tree Generator
Simon Verstraete demonstrates a procedural tree generator in a concise five-minute introductory tutorial.
Aixterior: Digital nature from calibrated scans
Aixterior bundles scanned natural objects, texture atlases, material scans and HDRIs into coherent biome libraries for offline and realtime 3D work.
Sleep Tight – A modern horror tale
"From the edge of a forest, the werewolf steps into the moonlight; in front of him lies a small settlement by a forest lake."
This sentence comes from an early version of our script. A lot happened from there to the final film. The old-fashioned settlement became a big city, the forest lake became a hill with modern flats and the werewolf became a werewolf.
Houdini VEX | Tutorial
Who is afraid of programming languages? You certainly won't be after this tutorial.
SideFX Showcases the 2020 Houdini Student Reel
The 2020 Houdini Student Reel presents a selection of emerging artists’ procedural animation, effects and simulation work.
Epic Games Takes a Minority Investment in SideFX
Epic Games acquired a minority stake in SideFX while Houdini’s ownership, development roadmap and industry partnerships remained unchanged.
Augmented Reality-App | Houdini & Blender
The Adonis of AR apps. Byplay for Houdini, Blender and Cinema 4D.
J Cube Introduces MUSE Alpha USD Editor
MUSE Alpha is a standalone USD editor from J Cube with non-destructive multi-editing capabilities.
MUSE Technology Preview Provides Standalone USD Editing
J Cube’s MUSE technology preview opens, displays and edits USD assets without requiring a host DCC application.
Champagne simulation | Fluids workshop
In the fiery stream of vines: Workflow fuelled with bubbly.
V-Ray 5 for Cinema 4D | Free Public Beta
What Houdini can do, Cinema 4D can now do too: V-Ray 5 in public beta.
V-Ray 5 für Houdini | Free Public Beta
After 3ds Max and Maya, Houdini is now following suit. Light Path Expressions make light.
HdCycles | Tangent Animation
Use Blenders Cycles renderer in Houdini. HdCycles makes it possible.
Houdini City Roads Generator | Tool
Build roads, pavements, car parks and more with Denis VFX's tool.
Houdini 18.0 | New Features
The backport brings Topo Transfer, Path Deform, Viewport Fog and more.
When Houdini and ZBrush connect
The software packages Houdini from SideFX and ZBrush from Pixologic both have strengths and weaknesses in the area of modelling.
GrowInfinite | Toolkit for Houdini
The new HDA collection brings entire green spaces to life.
Procedural Legoliser | Houdini
The Lego bricks pile up as the camera travels through the desert canyon.
Cinema 4D: Project Neutron announced
Redshift 3.0, Trapcode and Project Neutron: Proceduralism is coming to Cinema 4D, Redshift Realtime and much more!