Houdini is a powerful 3D animation and special effects software application developed by Side Effects Software Inc.
The application is versatile, and professionals working in diverse fields such as web VFX, 3D modelling and animation, video games, and film will all find that Houdini brings tons of potential to the production table.
Houdini is a procedural animation package which is shaking the industry up by adopting a node-based workflow that is markedly different from how the current cream of the crop operate such as Maya, 3D Studio Max, and Cinema 4D.
Here are the top 5 reasons why we think it should be a part of your skillset.
1. Gaining in Popularity
More and more studios are starting to take notice of the power Houdini offers to the visual effects industry. If you need more convincing, then be sure to check out the many stunning show reels available via a quick search on YouTube.
We’re not saying you should ignore the other major VFX software platforms such as 3D Studio Max and Maya. However, the growing popularity of Houdini means that it will be a valuable skillset which will improve your job prospects and grow your level of versatility.
2. It’s Free to Learn
Learning the other platforms has always been an expensive prospect, but Houdini gives you a fully functional application for free with only a few limitations.
You can only render up to a maximum of 1280 x 720 resolution, and there are no third-party renders in the free version.
Also, you have to put up with a small Houdini logo in the finished results, and commercial work is prohibited.
None of these limitations throttles your ability to learn about everything the software has to offer, however.
3. No Third-Party Plugins Required
Straight out of the box, Houdini provides complex physical based effects like smoke, fluids, destruction, and fire without any third-party plugins. The entire scene is handled by a node based procedural approach built into Houdini.
It’s a different way of doing things and may seem complicated at first. However, once you get comfortable with the new interface, your imagination becomes your only limitation.
4. Operating System Independent
Whether you’re on Linux, Apple Mac, or Windows, you can get Houdini for any of these platforms. Remember, it’s free, so you have no reason not to download and install it for your favorite operating system.
5. Powerful built-in Renderer
Houdini comes with its own built-in renderer called Mantra, so you won’t need to install V Ray, Octane or Redshift to output beautiful images.
You even get Mantra with the free apprentice version, so nothing is holding you back from creating stunning works of art right away.
There are tons of other reasons why you would want to get on the Houdini bandwagon, but the above should be compelling enough to get you downloading the product and trying it out for yourself. There are no obstacles preventing you from getting started right now, so check out Houdini today.
If you have other reasons, make sure to let us know below.
If you have any questions or feedback on this blog, we’d love to hear it in the comment section below or email me at lori@cgcircuit.com
