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SHORT COURSE

An Introduction to Houdini

$495.00

START DATE

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MODE

On Campus (Sydney)

DURATION

2 days

COMMITMENT

6 hrs

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This short course, run over two Friday afternoons, introduces digital artists to the 3D effects software Houdini by SideFX. Learn from the FX Lead at the Animal Logic Academy, Raphaël Gadot, and get hands-on with Houdini.

About this course

Houdini-Training-Center-black-300x463.jpg

Houdini is increasingly used in the film, animation and visual effects industries, as well as for data visualisation and simulation.

Due to its ability to create visual simulations based on procedural computation, it offers a very different approach to working with 3D, as compared to more traditional tools such as 3ds Max, Maya or Cinema 4D.

Houdini excels at creating physical-based effects such as destruction, smoke, fire and fluid simulations. Most importantly, it gives artists absolute control over every aspect of the scene, at any point in time.

The UTS Animal Logic Academy is an approved Houdini Training Centre.

Price

Full price: $495 (GST-free)*

*Price subject to change. Please check price at time of purchase.

Discounts are available for this course. For further details and to verify if you qualify, please check the Discounts section under Additional course information

Enrolment conditions

Course purchase is subject to UTS Open Terms and Conditions. 

COVID-19 response 

UTS complies with latest Government health advice. Delivery of all courses complies with the UTS response to COVID-19.

Additional course information

Course outline

During this one-day introductory course, students get an overview of the potential and functionality of Houdini as an FX simulation tool. Presentations and case studies will be supported with hands-on practical exercises. Participants get to work on a UTS Animal Logic Academy workstation with Houdini installed to work through tasks and examples with feedback from the trainer.

The course covers the following key topics:

  • Houdini UI: 3d viewport, network editor, geometry spreadsheet, parameter pane, mouse interaction
  • Points: Data in space, basics of position and colour
  • Attributes: Extended data on points
  • Sops: Basics of nodes, how nodes interact with attributes
  • Primitives, how they flow on top of points
  • Groups, an extension of points, creating named collections of points
  • Bring it all together, build a procedural city with sops, points, attributes, prims
  • Vex and vops, fast manipulation of points and attributes
  • Overview of Houdini dynamic solvers, how they differ from sops, how they're similar to sops:
    • Particle simulations
    • Rigid body dynamics
    • Cloth and soft body simulations
    • Smoke and fire simulations
    • Water simulations (FLIP)
  • Overview of Houdini’s main contexts (ROPs, MATs, CHOPs, COPs)

At the end of the course, students will be able to download their own scene files as well as the annotated setup templates from the trainer.

Course learning objectives

On successful completion of this course, participants will have a broad understanding of the capabilities and functionality of the visual effects software Houdini.

Discounts

Discount codes are available for the following:

  • 10% discount for UTS staff, students and alumni
  • 10% discount for industry guild members

If you are eligible for the UTS staff, student or alumni discount, enter the code UTSALA10 at checkout. Please enrol using your UTS email account, and be prepared to bring your UTS ID to the course for confirmation.

If you are eligible for the guild discount, you will need to obtain a discount code BEFORE you sign up for this course – this can be provided by your guild, or in marketing communications provided by the UTS Animal Logic Academy.

Discounts cannot be combined and only one discount can be applied per person per course session. Discounts can only be applied to the full price and cannot be applied to any offered special price. 

Contact us

Who is this course for?

This introductory course is ideal for students from film, animation, media arts and game development, as well as those considering a career in visual effects who would like to get an overview of Houdini software and what it can do in a range of professional contexts.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

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