What is Houdini Project?
Houdini Project is an open-source 3D animation and visual effects software developed by SideFX. It employs a procedural generation workflow that is especially powerful for creating visual effects, simulations, character rigging, and environment design.
Unlike other 3D animation packages that use a layer-based approach, Houdini builds scenes procedurally through networks of nodes. This allows great flexibility in generating geometry, animating characters, and simulating physics. Effects like fire, smoke, water, destruction, and crowds can be quickly iterated and previewed.
Key features include:
- Procedural workflow for flexibility and experimentation
- Powerful simulation tools for physics, fluids, destruction, etc.
- Node-based interface to build scenes visually
- Integrated rendering and compositing tools
- Python and Houdini Object Model (HOM) scripting APIs
- Combinesmodeling, animation, character rigging, lighting, and rendering in one package
With its visual effects pedigree and procedural architecture, Houdini excels at developing large-scale scenes and simulations for film, TV, advertising, and game cinematics. The ability to quickly make changes and see updated results makes it popular for previsualization as well.
The open-source Houdini Apprentice Learning Edition is free for non-commercial use, allowing artists to experiment with Houdini's capabilities.