AccessMyLibrary provides FREE access to over 30 million articles from top publications available through your library.
Create a link to this page
Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:
Houdini Version 5: an overhaul for Side Effects Software's flagship program.(Evaluation)
HOUDINI HAS been around for a number of years, and has earned wide acclaim from technical directors the world over who use the modeling and animation software to create a broad range of stunning effects. With Version 5, Side Effects Software has given Houdini a major overhaul to simplify the interface and broaden its appeal.
The software comes in two versions. Houdini Select retails for $1995, and has most of the tools an average artist will need to create excellent animation and effects. For $6995, Houdini Complete includes advanced particle effects, character setup tools, compositing, motion capture, and RenderMan support.
I did have some problems getting Houdini up and running. After a few days of troubleshooting, Side Effects traced the difficulty to my ancient Antex audio card. Turning off the card allowed the program to boot, and replacing it with a SoundBlaster card got everything working well. A minor issue is that, with the standard install, Houdini makes itself the default application for a huge variety of file types, including common image files such as JPG and TGA and geometry files such as DXF and OBJ. Like many people, I like JPGs to open in my browser. It would be nice if Houdini weren't quite so presumptuous in this area.
Houdini operates much like a visual programming language, making it fairly easy for users to create amazingly complex effects. Each operation in the process is represented as an operator, and wiring together different operators allows artists to create robust effects. This paradigm has been influential, and most of the high-end 3D and compositing applications have some form of visual programming.
In some respects, however, this paradigm has also been Houdini's Achilles' heel. The visual programming metaphor has made it off-putting to some users. Wiring together the various operators in Houdini is very much a left-brain activity, as opposed to the right-brain tasks involved in creating visually appealing content.
In Version 5, Side Effects has resolved this issue with a new and updated interface that enables you to work as before, but also allows you to work entirely in a ...
- Houdini the First Major 3D Animation Package on Linux; Side Effects Software...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire August 10, 1999 700+ words
...Third Party Support for Houdini on Linux Side Effects Software began beta testing...interactive portions of Houdini in May, however workstation...crucial role in allowing Side Effects Software to present Houdini on Linux at SIGGRAPH...
- Walt Disney Feature Animation Selects Side Effects Software's Houdini for...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire August 7, 2001 700+ words
...and the integration of Houdini(TM), Side Effects Software's award...more information about Side Effects Software and its products...www.sidefx.com. Houdini is a registered trademark of Side Effects Software Inc. All other...
- Side Effects Software Offers Houdini 9.5 Public Beta.
- Magazine article from: Entertainment Close-up June 13, 2008 700+ words
...UP-13 June 2008-Side Effects Software Offers Houdini 9.5 Public Beta...President and CEO, Side Effects Software. Houdini for Mac is an important...re thrilled that Side Effects is bringing Houdini to the Mac so 3D professionals...
- Sun Microsystems and Side Effects Software unveil Houdini 3D for Solaris...
- Press release article from: M2 Presswire August 10, 2001 700+ words
...Microsystems and Side Effects Software unveil Houdini 3D for Solaris...announcement with Side Effects Software that...award-winning Houdini 3D application...support from Side Effects Software and...benefits offered by Houdini's animation...
- Sun Microsystems and Side Effects Software Unveil Houdini 3D for Solaris(TM)...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire August 9, 2001 700+ words
...announcement with Side Effects Software that the award-winning Houdini 3D application...and support from Side Effects Software and Sun...benefits offered by Houdini's animation software...solutions, and porting Houdini to Sun's Solaris...Salvini, CTO of Side ...
- Side Effects Software and Sun Grid Engine software power Linux-based...
- Press release article from: M2 Presswire July 23, 2002 700+ words
...closely with Side Effects Software and...from within Houdini 3D software...Conference -- Side Effects Software...winning Houdini" family of...sizes." Side Effects Software will...demonstrating Houdini 5.5 on the...
- Side Effects expands Houdini line. (Post News).(Side Effects Software...
- Magazine article from: Post July 1, 2002 700+ words
TORONTO -- Side Effects Software is growing its Houdini family of 3D software products with upcoming...has also lowered the price of its entry level Houdini Select 3D application. Houdini Select is now available at $1,299 for a node...
- Sun and Side Effects partner to add Solaris support to Houdini animation...
- Newspaper article from: Telecomworldwire August 13, 2001 700+ words
...13 August 2001-Sun and Side Effects partner to add Solaris support to Houdini animation software (C)1994...com Sun Microsystems Inc and Side Effects Software have teamed up to make Side Effects' Houdini 3D animation software package...
