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Houdini is a 3D modeling, animation, VFX, look development, lighting, and rendering software by SideFX. The software provides tools for visual effects artists and technical directors in the film, television, advertising, gaming, and architecture industries. Houdini offers features for procedural modeling, character rigging, animation, dynamic simulation, particle systems, lighting, rendering, and compositing within one unified interface. Users can create digital assets and tools that can be easily reused and shared.
Provider
Side Effects Software
Located In
Canada
Open API
Yes
Training
Videos
Support
Knowledge Base, FAQs/Forum, Email/Help Desk
Designed for filmmaking, game developing and motion graphics industry, it is a vector graphics tool which lets users create simluations, animations, and 3D models.
Content Source: Houdini
Green rating bars show the winning product based on the average rating and number of reviews.
Houdini Reviews
"Houdini best for Fx and simulation FX"
Overall: Its the best software i have ever experienced for FX
Pros: Interface is easy node based Like nuke which is east and simple to use for any new user
Cons: Complicated Render optimisation, Render timing should be noticed
"Houdini: One of the best software for VFX."
Overall: Houdini is my favorite tool to use for VFX. It's powerful and ultra realistic. There are a ton of tools and features to help me create whatever I want. Houdini is a paid software but very worth it. I will take a little while to learn. Overall I love using Houdini and it has helped me make some incredible creations.
Pros: Houdini is an incredibly powerful tool. It works really great as a 3D modeling tool and I can create highly detailed models and characters. But where Houdini really shines is its particle effects system and physics system to create beautiful VFX. I love using Houdini to create visually stunning VFX for character animations. Its particle system is packed full of tools that allow me to create almost any kind of effect I can imagine. The physics system is incredibly realistic and I can apply forces to my effects. Houdini is one of the best for VFX.
Cons: The only real con I have with Houdini is that it is very confusing to use. It doesn't have the most user-friendly UIs. So it will take you a while to learn everything and get used to it all. But once you do then you have access to a very powerful tool.
"mi experiencia usando Houdini"
Overall: me gusta mucho pero me llevo tiempo aprender el programa por que no es facil al principio teiene una curva de aprendizaje algo complicada si no has ulitizado otros programas similares
Pros: tienes muchas posibilidades de hacer muchas cosas con este programa respecto a efectos especiales y animacion .
Cons: tienes que tener un alto conocimiento de otros porgamas de modelado 3d y un poco de fisica para que logres unos efectos muy realistas si no es asi salen medio regulares
"Professional VFX software I liked to use"
Pros: It's important to say that Houdini is really powerful VFX software that is as capable as its user. I used it in trial to try and do some work for myself and I was amazed as of how much is this software capable.
Cons: Steep learning curve and you really need some time, experience and dedication. But that is probably a good thing.
"A humbling experience"
Overall: Overall, Houdini's experience has been a humbling one. I can't see myself ever moving away from it.
Pros: Houdini is probably one of the hardest pieces of VFX software out there, but if you give it time and patience it's also going to be the most rewarding and flexible to your needs. They spend an incredible amount of time on R&D, so you know the money that is being spent on the product itself is reinvested in the software. SideFX continues to change the game with every release and it's super exciting looking to the next major version to see what they come up with.
Cons: There are tons of reasons why Houdini is an amazing piece of software, but there are also a number of crucial reasons why its not for everyone. Some of these are: the learning curve it takes to get into the software, the cost associated with purchasing the software, the additional render token cost is really high, and some parts of the software feel a little dated or entirely unused by a lot of artists.