RenderMan 27.3 Adds MaterialX to XPU
Pixar’s RenderMan 27.3 adds native MaterialX and initial Cryptomatte support to XPU, plus stylized-look, hair and volume updates.
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SideFX
114 posts
SideFX Teaches KineFX in Houdini 22
SideFX’s Max Rose presents two free Houdini 22 sessions on KineFX animation, Motion Mixer, secondary motion and retargeting.
Houdini 22: How Right Were We?
Houdini 22 arrived earlier than expected and confirms nearly all our keynote findings, with two experimental features carrying caveats.
Houdini Rigging: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Start Loving APEX
For anyone tired of character setups held together by hope, version notes and one dangerous checkbox, Houdini 21 promises a paradigm shift. By decoupling mesh, rig logic, animation and execution through KineFX and APEX, SideFX is taking another run at the holy grail of procedural rigging. But can it deliver a fast and intuitive workflow?
Here comes Houdini 22
2 hours and 18 minutes. That is almost exactly the runtime of the first Matrix film, and exactly the duration of the Houdini 22 release keynote. So yes, this promises a rather chunky package of new features and improvements.
Houdini 22 Teaser Fuels Guesswork
Houdini 22 looks ambitious, but the teaser is maddeningly brief. Treat every feature reading as informed fan speculation, not documentation.
Simple Tree Tools 3.0 goes procedural
Simple Tree Tools 3.0 targets Houdini 20.5+ with procedural trees, scan extension nodes, and one-time licenses from free to $1,299.
Project Violet links Houdini and MetaHuman
SideFX drops Project Violet, a Houdini 21 tutorial series that mixes MetaHuman characters with Houdini rigging and simulation workflows.
Natsura 0.6 adds effectors and Nanite export for Houdini Foliage
New growth controls, a new assembly workflow, and a long changelog full of speedups, warnings, and some very honest rough edges.
dy Install Libs adds Library Manager to Houdini
dy Install Libs ships Library Manager for Houdini, turning library installs into clicks instead of JSON wrangling.
AdonisFX 2.0 brings Houdini support, anisotropic muscles, and triangle-level self-collisions
AdonisFX 2.0 is a big structural release: Houdini support arrives as SOP nodes, core solvers pick up anisotropy and triangle-level self-collisions, paint maps gain non-linear remaps, and the toolset gets a practical layer of “pipeline hygiene” improvements.
The Grove 2.3
The Grove 2.3 adds direct drawing, subdivide and export improvements, Houdini Indie support and huge storage savings.
SideFX launches central Houdini learning hub
SideFX consolidates Houdini tutorials into a structured Learning Library aimed at students and production artists.
Modeler 26 for Houdini released
Modeler 26 for Houdini introduces a significantly expanded PolyPen, Bezier-based deformation, curve-driven boolean operations, viewport card drawing, and a new object layer system.
GGro grows strange things in Houdini, for free
Free Houdini add-on GGro generates procedural organic growth forms via custom solvers and influence nodes.
Houdini 21: Like good wine (Part1, VFX & Geo)
Houdini 21 polishes the chaos: production-ready MPM, neural surfacing, smarter Pyro, and Vulkan viewport upgrades: all taste-tested for real-world use. (Part 1 of ???)
SideFX launches “How To Houdini” contest for Houdini 21
SideFX’s new “How To Houdini” contest rewards the best Houdini 21 tutorials with FX and Indie licences, merch, and "exposure" in the community.
Axiom 4 for Houdini: Faster GPU Pyro With Better Collisions
Theory Accelerated has dropped Axiom 4, the GPU-driven Houdini solver for smoke and fire that promises fewer artifacts, more speed, and a UI that doesn’t feel like it was designed during a caffeine shortage.
Pixar beamed up: RenderMan Art Challenge 2025 goes alien
Pixar’s RenderMan Art Challenge 2025 goes extraterrestrial. Theme: Aliens. Deadline: 10 November. Tools: RenderMan only. Prizes: galactic.
KitBash3D Cargo 2.0 lands with Houdini Solaris importer and 350 free assets
KitBash3D Cargo 2.0 ships with Houdini Solaris USD importer and 350 free assets. Free for personal use, commercial rights require paid plans.
MetaHuman Meets Houdini
TL;DR: Epic’s free “MetaHuman for Houdini” brings rigged, textured MetaHumans and procedural hair grooms into Houdini, with seamless Alembic export to Unreal Engine.
Houdini 21 Finally Lands: The Buzz Is Over, Time to Actually Use It
SideFX has released Houdini 21, adding rigging, CFX, VFX, lookdev, terrain, and Copernicus updates. The hype is over; time to test in production.
USDSkel: Optimized Character Rigging
USDSkel is an OpenUSD component that supports scalable, manipulable, and interchangeable skinned characters. Wanna know more?
Houdini 21: SideFX pushes for production readiness across the CG pipeline
SideFX releases Houdini 21, promoting Apex, Vulkan, Otus, and major animation and rigging upgrades to production-ready status.
Houdini 21 : Otto, Otis, Copernicus and 300+ New Features. No, Really
Houdini 21 sneak peek: SideFX previews 300+ features: Otis solver, Otto rig, Copernicus, Vulkan viewport, full rigging and CFX overhaul.
GSOPs 2.6: The Swiss Army Knife for Gaussian Splatting in Houdini
GSOPs 2.6 delivers free 2D/3D Gaussian Splatting editing, viewport rendering, mesh export, Karma and Solaris integration for Houdini 20.5.
Procedural Village People: SideFX Lets Houdini Users Play Skylark Architect
SideFX publishes Project Skylark’s Houdini assets and eight snappy tutorials: procedural tools for clouds, bridges, bottles, and a healthy dose of fantasy architecture.
Modeler 2025.2 for Houdini Lands: Hard‑Surface Modelling Makeover
Alexey Vanzhula’s Modeler 2025.2 rebuilds hotkeys, shading presets and moves to Qt6, offering a smoother hard‑surface workflow in Houdini.
SideFX Extends Houdini Labs: Free Procedural Bridge Tool Arrives
SideFX updates the free procedural bridge tool for Houdini, offering customizable, animatable bridge assets – ready for download on SideFX Labs.
Free Mech, Fully Armed: SideFX Drops Rigged & Ready Model for UE5
SideFX releases a free, fully rigged and animated mech model, optimized for Unreal Engine 5 and ready for animation, rigging and FBX workflows.
Marine-Snow-Simulation in Houdini
Join our workshop and discover how to simulate marine snow and oceanic particles for VFX - Master underwater simulations, ocean effects, and particle-based systems. Perfect for VFX artists and anybody who tripped over the phrase "Ocean dandruff".
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?
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.
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.
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.
FMX 2024: The Marvels, Doctor Who and an early bird that will soon fly away
Time travel has always been an important theme at FMX - and it will be again this year. The already confirmed glimpses into the timeline chaos of LOKI 2 will now be joined by one of the special episodes of the series DOCTOR WHO, which the BBC has produced to mark the 60th birthday of the time-travelling alien.
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.
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!
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!
Capturing Reality in Houdini
Review: In DP 02 : 2019, we take a closer look at photogrammetry in Houdini. Our Houdini expert clarifies whether this has resulted in a production boost for game developers.
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.
Cable Generator 2.0 | Release
Are you a Houdini user and need a DIY organisation system for your cable clutter? Then click on this tool!
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.
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?
VAT tool | Tutorial
From SideFX Labs: Master Vertex Animation Textures with these two tutorials.
Weta Digital & SideFX | Economy
Houdini goes on holiday to Windy Wellington: partnership with Wetah.
Kitchen Generator | Tool
For 3ds Max: Who will be the new kitchen king (in Environment Design)?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Free Houdini HDAs Build Roads and Props
Oscar Gaya shared procedural Houdini HDAs for highways, pipes, gears and rope bridges, with curve inputs and Unreal Engine workflows.
FMX Highlights: Jeff Wagner & Florian Gellinger
SideFX meets RISE VFX - with Florian Gellinger and Jeff "Old School" Wagner they discuss current and past trends!
Dungeon Generator in Houdini
If you feel like building a procedural dungeon: SideFX has a new tutorial series – including the project file.
Houdini 18: Introduction to Solaris
Solaris: the node-based USD environment for lighting, lookdev, layout and rendering in Houdini 18.
Blergh! Word Art! In Houdini?
Houdini is certainly not known for classic graphics and especially not for typography and fonts. And word clouds are certainly nothing new either, but somehow always chic when used correctly.
Direct modelling: modelling without obstacles
As the saying goes: every drop wears away the stone. Wouldn't it be ideal if there was a shortcut?
SideFX | Houdini 18 Release Is Here!
Houdini 18 is released: SideFX adds a new USD context, destruction, Pyro and FLIP fluid updates, modelling features and much more.
SideFX Houdini 18 Launch
The next release is already coming: SideFX announces the launch event for the new Houdini 18 release!
Industry Panel: The Pipeline of the Future
How do TDs and supervisors from major studios imagine the pipeline of the future? There was an exciting panel discussion about it at Siggraph!
Solaris | New Context for Houdini
New Houdini context announced: Solaris brings a node-based USD environment for lighting, lookdev, rendering and more!
Houdini 2019 Customer Reel!
Siggraph 2019 is underway and SideFX presents its 2019 reels. Watch the customer and community projects here!
PDG for Gamedev: Procedural Level Design
TOPs & PDG for gamedevs: in this introductory series, you learn the basics of using the new Houdini features with Unity!
Houdini 17.5 Released!
And there is already the next release: SifeFX presents Houdini 17.5 with new Task Operators (PDG), volumes in the viewport and more!
AliceVision: Photogrammetrie in Houdini
The open source photogrammetry tool in Houdini: SideFx releases free plug-in!
Mantras Mantra
The mantra of Mantra is to render what Houdini has created in terms of geometry, volumes or particles. And SideFX recently won an Oscar for this. So if you want to render at Hollywood level, you've come to the right place. Especially if the pipeline should and may be very compositing-orientated, Houdini offers exactly these tools and features. - by Olaf Finkbeiner
Houdini Indie: Now Also 4K Rendering
Houdini Indie users can rejoice: the license now permits higher render resolution and installation on a second computer, among other things!
Tutorial Series: Getting Started with Houdini
For Houdini beginners: If you have no idea about the tool and want to learn it, there is a new “Introduction to Houdini” series from Rohan Dalvi.
Creating Snow Crystals in Houdini
The first Sunday of Advent is over and still no snow in sight? Entagma helps out with a new tutorial – in it, you learn to create procedural snowflakes in Houdini.
Zync: More Tools and a New Pricing Structure
Google’s Zync Render now also supports V-Ray GPU from Chaos Group and the Cara VR plug-in for Nuke. There is also improved price calculation.
Update: Houdini 16.5 Released!
The new Houdini 16.5 release is here! With new features in dynamics, character, rendering, modelling and the UI, SideFX has really pulled out all the stops!
Houdini Customer Reel 2017
The new Houdini Customer Reel features great work to admire, including from Disney, Rise | Visual Effects Studios, Framestore and Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Houdini Fun: Animate a “Simple” Cube
Animate a cube in Houdini? What could be more obvious than a fully functional four-stroke internal combustion engine? Anatolii Iudanov presents his simple solution.
Update: Nyx Sidekick Released
Houdini-to-3ds Max bridge now in its first version for synchronizing geometry, VDB and particle data. Until May 20, you can get the plug-in at a reduced price.
Geometry Workflows in Houdini 16
Time to look at the changes to Houdini 16 operators: Jeff Wagner shows the most important new SOP features for geometry workflows.
Houdini Engine Price Reduction
New price change at SideFX: Houdini Engine for studios has become cheaper and is available in new payment models.
From Houdini to After Effects
New bridge construction: This plug-in lets camera and locator data be exported from Houdini 15.5 and 16 to Adobe After Effects.
New Masterclass: Houdini 16 Autorig Tools
Houdini 16 also brought improvements for the rigging process, among other things. In this masterclass, you receive an overview of the autorig tools.
Free: Exchange Between 3ds Max and Houdini
Free for another 30 days: With this plug-in, you can create a dynamic connection between 3ds Max and Houdini to exchange datasets.
Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV Breakdown
Image Engine, otherwise better known for VFX work for feature films, created 23 minutes of elaborate 3D animation for the Japanese computer-animated film "Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV." Here is the breakdown video, which shows that Image Engine can obviously simply do everything in the CG field.
Pretty Poly Garden in Houdini 16
New Houdini tutorial: Here Yader shows you how to create cool poly animations procedurally within Houdini. Project files are included too!
Tutorial: Crumbling Geometry with Houdini
Dissolve geometry into particles? No problem with Houdini – in this tutorial, you learn one possible workflow for it in Houdini 16.