Houdini VFX pack
Collection of video tutorials on creating visual effects in Houdini 17.One of the main sides of Houdini is the creation of visual effects. Was often used for creating effects for movies, commercials, various kinds of commercials. Procedurality allows you to effectively connect different elements and objects, making work with the scene more flexible.
A variety of tools and ways to create a particular effect allows you to select a more convenient and effective option. The program has all the necessary tools for creating fluid simulations, destructions and dynamics, working with liquids and particles.
Despite the seeming complexity in the work of the node structure, using expressions, formulas and other “complicated” things – this program is very comfortable in work with the necessary knowledge. With proper training, many features and tools become clear even for peoples who were afraid to even open similar programs.
The possibilities of the non-commercial version of the program (which is absolutely free) will allow you to study the program thoroughly without any special limitations. This will allow everyone to repeat and learn the steps done in the lessons.
Lessons will be useful to those who don`t have the time (or money) to participate online trainings. They are designed for a wide audience, because the author does not know the level of knowledge of the person on the other side of the screen. Therefore, suitable for both beginners and for people who are already working in this software.
Materials will also be provided for repeating lessons.
What will we learn in the Houdini VFX Pack?
Work with all the basic tools for creating visual effects, including creating and controlling particles, working in the Pyro system, used to create fluid simulations of fire / smoke, create a rigid body dynamic simulations when creating various kinds of destructions, including fragmentation. Also, a separate theme is working with fluid simulations. And, of course, visualization with built-in Mantra visualizer and the Arnold plugin. As well as the transfer for visualization to other 3D packages, using VDB format.
These lessons for you if you want to:
- learn how to work inside Houdini structure
- learn the theoretical foundations and practical methods for creating visual effects
- work with particles
- learn how to make explosions, fire, smoke, dust, clouds, and other elements of “atmospheric” simulations
- work with the destruction dynamics
- simulate a liquid with the different density and at different scales
- visualize the result inside Houdini or export data for rendering
Watch the video presentation and the content of Houdini VFX pack:
Technical specifications
- Year: 2019
- Author: Andrew Zamorskij
- Software versions: Houdini 17, Nuke 10
- Number of lessons: 31
- Total duration: over 24 hours
- Video specifications: file-type .mp4, frame size – 1920*1080 pixels, audio stream – 125kbit/s, 44kHz
Where I can download Houdini?
For training you will need a non-commercial license, which you can download for free from official site after registration:
https://www.sidefx.com/download/
About the author
Andrew Zamorskij is a vfx artist, freelancer.
Works in CGI since 2007.
Worked in the Kiev production studios: Kinotur DI Lab, Levaleo, Camaradas, 35 mm production. Took part in creation computer graphics and visual effects for different brands, TV shows and commercials.
Also is a teacher and author of lessons in Cg-school.org. Created lessons for application like Nuke, Rayfire, Fumefx, Vray, Houdini, Realflow, Naiad.
Learn more cg-school.org team >>>
Houdini pack content
In the first section you will learn how to work with the program. Settings, structure, tools for working with objects. We also analyze what is attributes, what types of data we will use and how we can manipulate it.
– basic program settings for training;
– the attributes concept;
– using the noise;
– copying objects using copy node;
– attribute transfer.
Part 2. Particle simulations.
Particles are an important part of visual effects. They can interact with different elements, as well as be sources for creating simulations of fire, smoke, liquid. In this part we will learn how to work with the POP network, import and caching.
– the principle of the POP system;
– the sources types, using the attributes;
– collisions of particles with objects, groups;
– caching information;
– use VEX;
– the portal scene based on particle simulation.
Part 3. Smoke.
In this section, we will introduce the Pyro system, which is used for fluid simulations in Houdini based on the fields. Let`s see, what fields are, ways of their creation and further advection.
– setting up sources for generating fields;
– import fields in Pyro for further simulation;
– caching the result;
– creation of large-scale smoke simulation;
– shaders setup for visualization.
Part 4. Fire and explosions.
Since there is no smoke without fire, we cannot miss the study of fire simulation. It belongs to the same Pyro system, has a number of features related to the use of fuel and combustion processes. It is actively used to create fire, engine flame, various types of explosions, etc.
– fuel as the source for a fire;
– making an explosion;
– how to use Pump and Expand;
– blast wave simulation;
– creating an array of explosions using wedge;
– work with cache for finalization and rendering.
Part 5. Atmospheric effects.
As a separate unit we should include atmospheric effects. Basically, they are created using the same Pyro, but those are used in simulations of clouds, dust effects, etc.
– making clouds;
– dust simulation on the example of a scene with a dust storm.
Part 6. Creating destructions.
Dynamics is one and important elements in visual effects. Everything, starting with simple interactions of objects in the fall, ending with complex destruction of huge buildings – these are all the tasks of creating the rigid body dynamics. The process itself is not simple and consists of a large number of different stages. At the same time, it often works in conjunction with Pyro to create additional effects.
– the concept of fragmentation, types of fragments;
– the elements activation;
– using constraint networks;
– the clusters creation ;
– explosion dynamics to create object destruction;
– the multi-level caching;
– creation of additional elements.
Part 7. Liquid simulations.
An important part of working with FX in Houdini is fluid simulation. Depending on the type of liquid, it may be a small simulation for advertising drinks / desserts, and a massive simulation of rivers / seas / oceans for movies.
– creation of FLIP simulation;
– colliding with an objects;
– work with liquids of different viscosity;
– water surface simulation with a ship.
Attention! The number of lessons will increase even after release date. Access will be available for Houdini pack customers, who chose Advanced plan.
Purchase process
To gain access, you must pay for the material. Available payment options: Visa / MasterCard. After payment download link will be sent to you. If you want to buy a pack at pre-sales stage, you will have to wait until release date to get your material.
What is the price?
Price depends on the date of a purchase.
If you buy after release (March 09, 2019): Houdini VFX pack (base) will cost 160$ , Houdini VFX pack (advanced) – 190$.
Lessons on Houdini VFX pack are available in 2 variants – Houdini VFX pack (base plan): 31 video tutorials and Houdini VFX pack (advanced plan): 31 video tutorials+materials+new tutorials.
All material will be available for download after the release day (March 08 — March 09, 2019).
FAQ:
I am a beginner. Can I understand the lessons?
Yes. The lessons are designed for users both beginners, intermediate and advanced levels.
I want to buy all three VFX packs. Can I have a discount?
Yes. You can get our Subscription. It includes unlimited download, new training every month, access to all materials: project files, 3ds max scenes, Nuke projects.
What is the difference between your courses and the rest of similar content on the Internet?
Our lessons are made by the experts, who have completed a lot of projects in the CG industry (check) At the present time we are working in the studio of computer graphics (check).
I want to buy lessons. How can I do it?
Select the block that you are interested in and press the button above. Or, please, write us: info@cg-school.org.
What payment options are available?
Visa/Mastercard, Western Union.
Do you support customers after the purchase of lessons?
Theoretically no, but in practice you can ask questions in our groups in the social networks. Usually we answer to them. https://www.facebook.com/Comp.Graphics.School
Which operating system I need to watch your lessons? Do I need special players or codecs?
You can use any of these operating systems: Windows, Mac OS, Linux. No special players. The files are in .mp4 format and open everywhere.
Is it possible to download the material if the Internet connection breaks?
Yes. If you have any other problems with the internet, write for help to info@cg-school.org
Will I receive the application?
Licenses are not included. We can suggest using trial versions or educational licenses that are either free or not expensive.
How can I contact you?
The fastest ways to get your answer are: info@cg-school.org. Skype: olegwer, sapphire130283