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| Rivai |
Houdini NewbieHi Guys,recently i have just realize that Houdini is a package that i really should learn in depth. I'm hoping that i can concentrate mainly on this application for the entire year. The interface is a bit scary to me. Anyway, my main question will be, what is a good book or tutorial that gives a strong foundation on this application. Second question : Should i drop my 3D knowledge and start fresh ? I think cmivfx needs to concentrate more Houdini. Any advice will be listen Thanks |
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| steve |
Re: Houdini Newbie
Why would you drop your knowledge, 3D esthetics will apply to any package, the only thing that will change throughout these applications are minor things like terminology, but the essence remains. I think they are focusing on it quite a lot; they have 2 DVDs out right now, with more coming (as far as we hear). Basically, half the commercial training DVDs for Houdini come from cmivfx (since the 2 others are gnomon). No disrespect to CMIvfx in any way, I own both DVDs and I am extremely happy with them, but I think the best way to start with Houdini is to pick up The Magic of Houdini (http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Houdi...oks&qid=1173480335&sr=8-1) Also, having the sidefx forum as a bookmark is a good idea: http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_forum&Itemid=172 Once you get the basics of how the app runs, how each part of the package can communicate to another, how to setup a basic network, you can check out more advanced training, such as the gnomon or CMIvfx. From someone who owns all of the available commercial training solutions for Houdini I can say this: [in order of appearance on the market...if I'm not mistaken] 1- The magic of Houdini: A great read, it really gets you familiar with the basics of each part of the application (actually its a little light on cops...which is the compositing part of Houdini). If you actually take the time to go threw the interface text and a few examples, you will master the basics of this monster application. Only downside is that it’s reading material, it takes a little more will and brain power to get through it (compared to a video tutorial). 2- Gnomon Interface basics: Coming from Cinema 4D, I had a lot of trouble getting used Houdini’s more technical viewports, and the Magic of Houdini wasn't enough (trust me, the jump from C4D to Houdini, without too much 3D experience, is a ruff one) so I decided to purchase this DVD. It did show the basics of the interface, I can't complain there, but its real strong point is that it shows you how each part of the app can "talk" to another, which is very powerful. Downside: the host uses the Houdini help files a lot and it's almost like watching an animated version of the application's manual. 3- CMIVFX Digital City Creation: I liked this video training a lot, it shows you some vex and HDA usage which is imperative in Houdini (not to mention how different parts of the app talk (cops to sops)). The only downside that I could see was that I believe you should know the basics of the app before getting it. 4- Gnomon Rigid Body Dynamics: My second to favorite training DVD for Houdini, I think the host really captures the essence of DOPS (dynamic operators) in Houdini. He shows you the basics and some more advanced settings. The only downsides: Not every user needs dynamics, at least not all the time, so it more or less depends on what you want to do, and also, he shows you these amazing examples of what DOPS are capable of, but he only goes threw the main workflow, IMO, he should have broken those shots down way more. 5- CMIVFX L-System: My all time favorite so far. At first it does seem a little overwhelming and long, but as soon as you pick up what Gary is trying to explain to you, you're set. After watching the DVD, the first thing I did was create a tunnel which, thanks to an L-system, some particles, and some vex, had flames running threw it. Although I don't know how to properly render particles, it was very fun to create and I would have never been able to do it without the training. By the way, the main difficulty of the shot was that I wanted the particles to turn corners violently (not having to rely on particle collisions). I think that should help you a little. |
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| Rivai |
The book is in my list and on my way to book them !! Thanks steve, i appreciate a lot in your opinion.
The reason why i said i want to start fresh, sometimes i feel easier,so that u don't get mix up, like why can't it be like this compare to application xxx. I've make up my mind to stick with this for the entire year. Thanks Regards |
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| steve |
I get what you mean, I was lucky, not much from C4D (or at least what I learned from it) could translate very well to Houdini. If your background is max, maya, or xsi, there's a good chance that your knowldge is transferrable (like creating shaders...for mantra, mental ray, or rman).... Anyways, just trying to help. |
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| admin |
same thing herei would suggest to download the apprentice and make small project goals.Build a table to completion Animate a ball with controls etc.. etc... just take these projects from begnning to end. its your best bet to get started. -c |
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| Rivai |
Thanks chris,
I've downlad the apprentice program weeks ago when i got the procedural modeling citites. Just got the houdini book. I want to be familiar with the interface first. What do you mean animate ball with controls ? |
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