Hi everyone, sorry it's been a while. Here in the LA office, we've been busy assimilating Houdini 12 before release. So much new, awesome stuff coming up in 12, I won't list it all here, but you're going to love it. Aside from that, we've had an awesome summer and a brilliant SIGGRAPH, and it's really good to see Houdini being noticed for its strengths beyond being "that particle package." Meeting with lots of different people during SIGGRAPH was a huge stoke, because the things they want to use Houdini for are so varied and amazing, it gave me project envy almost on a daily basis. So if you're always the one stuck doing dust puffs for the whole show, or debris, or sparks, or missile trails, take heart, because there's some really exciting work out there ready to challenge your skills, your intellect, and your artistic sense. And noobs, remember that the current crop of dust-puff people are looking to move up food chain, so I'm sure they'd be more than happy for you to take over that onerous task so you can get your feet wet.
With that in mind, I can't stress this enough: Now is a REALLY good time to be a Houdini user. Remember that old government PSA for reading? "Each one teach one." So pick it up, learn it, and teach a friend. In my perfect, blindingly nerdy world, we would have Houdini 'battles' at clubs, where users show off their skills, like a nerdcore version of 8 Mile or Step It Up. OK, maybe I'm a little too into this, or I've been doing it too long, but on a scale of 1 to awesome, it sure wouldn't be 1.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Happy Houdini Day
There are lots of stories about how Houdini (the software) got the name. But we won’t get into that here today.
It is however, the 137th birthday of the man, and Google paid tribute. Here’s a neat little video about the life of a great magician:
By the way, CGTalk is now picking up a Houdini Forum if any of you are interested. We know there have been some in the past, but this one is going to stick!
It is however, the 137th birthday of the man, and Google paid tribute. Here’s a neat little video about the life of a great magician:
By the way, CGTalk is now picking up a Houdini Forum if any of you are interested. We know there have been some in the past, but this one is going to stick!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
cmiVFX Houdini Fractal Clouds & Terrains
Our friends over at cmiVFX recently released another Houdini tutorial!
cmiVFX Releases New Houdini Fractals Clouds & Terrain Training Video from Chris Maynard on Vimeo.
cmiVFX Releases New Houdini Fractals Clouds & Terrain Training Video
High Definition Training Videos for the Visual Effects Industry
Princeton, NJ (february 23, 2011) – cmiVFX launches its latest full feature training video for Houdini based on highly advanced fractals for the creation of volumetric clouds and natural terrains. This video covers a detailed workflow within VEX nodes to allow the viewer to have a deep understanding on creating professional shots for such natural effects. The educational structure for this video, gears all users up to be able to follow its contents from beginning to end. This in-depth introduction to Fractals will add an essential knowledge to all Houdini artists wanting to move to the next level. The results produced by this video are truly superb, and near impossible to achieve any other way. With this revolutionary blend of artistry and technology, every user can have the ability to understand the roots and principles of constructing solid multi-fractal networks . At this same time, you will learn how to seamlessly create a digital asset to make your fractals accessible on any shot that you are working on. When you're finished with the video, you will have the opportunity to create very complicated cloud system, in very difficult scenarios like multilayering effects with complex design and anything else you can dream up.
Short Description:
In this course we will investigate all the details on creating a robust fractal network, so we can learn how to fix any issue that may arise or even prevent them from happening.
Here at cmiVFX we maintain a current training library for the latest versions of popular software titles. When it comes to high end CG and VFX training, there is only once choice… cmiVFX!
Don’t forget about the cmiSubscription plan! Get one today. cmiVFX launched the most affordable subscription plan in Visual FX Training History for only $299 USD, and if you were a subscriber, this New Training Release would already be in your account. This video is also available a-la-cart in our brand new HTML5 player system.
Houdini Fractals Clouds & Terrain Training Video
http://www.cmivfx.com/tutorials/view/280/Houdini+Fractals
Introducing Fractal Networks
In this chapter we will navigate through core VEX nodes and network workflows to create basic fractal images and animations, building up a ground knowledge for mastering fractal color extraction and animation. We then set rules for interaction between external images and your fractals.
Procedural Terrains
One of the first areas that fractals were used was on creating digital terrains. In this section, we`ll look from start to finish how to build a node system that provide us the power to create interesting and unique terrains with VEX, how to control them and also how to comprehend the idea behind a multi-fractal terrain.
"For Loop " VEX Node
One of the greatest nodes in VEX is the "for loop" node, it allows you to repeat the same sequence of code many times. however it has a very specific condition it needs to meet to work properly. Continuing with the effort to evolve the fractal system , we will delve into how to take advantage of the "for loop" to implement richness and a more natural look. Along side the "for loop", we will introduce a method to securely change the input parameters of the network.
Multi-Fractal Workflow
Once we understand what is behind a good fractal system, its time to start bringing to life a complete multi-fractal OTL. In this section we`ll cover every information you need to achieve a great , clean and efficient system.
Introducing Volumetric Networks
Working with volumetric nodes in Houdini is a delicate thing. It can be an intensive process if you don't handle it right. Our goal here is to present the viewer with a unique way to manage the intricate details within the volumetric process. How to properly set your scene to receive volumetric elements, how to render them, shade, understand definitions and set specific rules to achieve a believable result.
Custom Volumetric Displacement
In this chapter we will introduce the epicenter of our product. Combining all the knowledge we acquired until here to build our own custom volumetric displacements. We will use a simple system to create a pyroclastic cloud to understand the technique behind control vectors and how they can help us to properly add displacements.
Object Volumetric Setup
One of the most required option in a good volumetric system is the ability to apply it to any kind of source object. This can be extremely helpful to draw unique designs and to style clouds in any way we desire. Here we will explain extensively all the necessary steps to accomplish ultimate control on where your volumes will be applied. The only limit is your imagination!
Cloud Systems Workflow
Everything we have learned so far culminates in this outstanding Cloud System workflow. Utilizing our custom multi-fractal OTL and all the knowledge acquired through all the lessons, we will demonstrate how you can create unbelievable natural cloud effect and how to control it in any form your production demands, thus optimizing visibility and rendering to have a great viewport feedback together with great rendering results.
About The Author
Andreu Lucio is a spanish cg professional with more than 10 years experience and is 32 years old. After studying visual communication, he started working in international cartoon series in 1999, "The triplets", "Juanito Jones" and "Tom" as a Cg Artist for a company called Cromosoma. He become the Lead Cg Artist so learned a lot about light, colors, compositing, fx and how important they are for improving the final result. During his carrier working in some of the top spanish studios he has deeply use softwares like 3d Max, Maya, Houdini, Modo, Combustion, Nuke. Stuff like dynamics, expressions, maya mel and python had been present almost always in his long r&d sessions. Never stopped learning neither working so how to fit developed techniques in the real production its been the key goal for him. For the last 3 years he is working in Torsion Animation, a small Houdini based studio that has co-founded, creating motion graphics and visual fx for commercials. The studio is really small, so it has to use his skills from modeling to compositing and Houdini´s power in order to get the job finished within the tight deadlines and the high quality demanded.
This video is available today at the cmiVFX Store: http://store.cmivfx.com/
About cmiVFX
cmiVFX is the leader in High Definition Video Training for the Visual Effects Community. Register for FREE and receive hours of FREE content at the cmiVFX Video-on-Demand Player. ( http://store.cmivfx.com/login ) For additional information about cmiVFX, visit http://www.cmivfx.com. © 2010 cmiVFX | cmiStudios. All rights reserved.
cmiVFX Releases New Houdini Fractals Clouds & Terrain Training Video from Chris Maynard on Vimeo.
cmiVFX Releases New Houdini Fractals Clouds & Terrain Training Video
High Definition Training Videos for the Visual Effects Industry
Princeton, NJ (february 23, 2011) – cmiVFX launches its latest full feature training video for Houdini based on highly advanced fractals for the creation of volumetric clouds and natural terrains. This video covers a detailed workflow within VEX nodes to allow the viewer to have a deep understanding on creating professional shots for such natural effects. The educational structure for this video, gears all users up to be able to follow its contents from beginning to end. This in-depth introduction to Fractals will add an essential knowledge to all Houdini artists wanting to move to the next level. The results produced by this video are truly superb, and near impossible to achieve any other way. With this revolutionary blend of artistry and technology, every user can have the ability to understand the roots and principles of constructing solid multi-fractal networks . At this same time, you will learn how to seamlessly create a digital asset to make your fractals accessible on any shot that you are working on. When you're finished with the video, you will have the opportunity to create very complicated cloud system, in very difficult scenarios like multilayering effects with complex design and anything else you can dream up.
Short Description:
In this course we will investigate all the details on creating a robust fractal network, so we can learn how to fix any issue that may arise or even prevent them from happening.
Here at cmiVFX we maintain a current training library for the latest versions of popular software titles. When it comes to high end CG and VFX training, there is only once choice… cmiVFX!
Don’t forget about the cmiSubscription plan! Get one today. cmiVFX launched the most affordable subscription plan in Visual FX Training History for only $299 USD, and if you were a subscriber, this New Training Release would already be in your account. This video is also available a-la-cart in our brand new HTML5 player system.
Houdini Fractals Clouds & Terrain Training Video
http://www.cmivfx.com/tutorials/view/280/Houdini+Fractals
Introducing Fractal Networks
In this chapter we will navigate through core VEX nodes and network workflows to create basic fractal images and animations, building up a ground knowledge for mastering fractal color extraction and animation. We then set rules for interaction between external images and your fractals.
Procedural Terrains
One of the first areas that fractals were used was on creating digital terrains. In this section, we`ll look from start to finish how to build a node system that provide us the power to create interesting and unique terrains with VEX, how to control them and also how to comprehend the idea behind a multi-fractal terrain.
"For Loop " VEX Node
One of the greatest nodes in VEX is the "for loop" node, it allows you to repeat the same sequence of code many times. however it has a very specific condition it needs to meet to work properly. Continuing with the effort to evolve the fractal system , we will delve into how to take advantage of the "for loop" to implement richness and a more natural look. Along side the "for loop", we will introduce a method to securely change the input parameters of the network.
Multi-Fractal Workflow
Once we understand what is behind a good fractal system, its time to start bringing to life a complete multi-fractal OTL. In this section we`ll cover every information you need to achieve a great , clean and efficient system.
Introducing Volumetric Networks
Working with volumetric nodes in Houdini is a delicate thing. It can be an intensive process if you don't handle it right. Our goal here is to present the viewer with a unique way to manage the intricate details within the volumetric process. How to properly set your scene to receive volumetric elements, how to render them, shade, understand definitions and set specific rules to achieve a believable result.
Custom Volumetric Displacement
In this chapter we will introduce the epicenter of our product. Combining all the knowledge we acquired until here to build our own custom volumetric displacements. We will use a simple system to create a pyroclastic cloud to understand the technique behind control vectors and how they can help us to properly add displacements.
Object Volumetric Setup
One of the most required option in a good volumetric system is the ability to apply it to any kind of source object. This can be extremely helpful to draw unique designs and to style clouds in any way we desire. Here we will explain extensively all the necessary steps to accomplish ultimate control on where your volumes will be applied. The only limit is your imagination!
Cloud Systems Workflow
Everything we have learned so far culminates in this outstanding Cloud System workflow. Utilizing our custom multi-fractal OTL and all the knowledge acquired through all the lessons, we will demonstrate how you can create unbelievable natural cloud effect and how to control it in any form your production demands, thus optimizing visibility and rendering to have a great viewport feedback together with great rendering results.
About The Author
Andreu Lucio is a spanish cg professional with more than 10 years experience and is 32 years old. After studying visual communication, he started working in international cartoon series in 1999, "The triplets", "Juanito Jones" and "Tom" as a Cg Artist for a company called Cromosoma. He become the Lead Cg Artist so learned a lot about light, colors, compositing, fx and how important they are for improving the final result. During his carrier working in some of the top spanish studios he has deeply use softwares like 3d Max, Maya, Houdini, Modo, Combustion, Nuke. Stuff like dynamics, expressions, maya mel and python had been present almost always in his long r&d sessions. Never stopped learning neither working so how to fit developed techniques in the real production its been the key goal for him. For the last 3 years he is working in Torsion Animation, a small Houdini based studio that has co-founded, creating motion graphics and visual fx for commercials. The studio is really small, so it has to use his skills from modeling to compositing and Houdini´s power in order to get the job finished within the tight deadlines and the high quality demanded.
This video is available today at the cmiVFX Store: http://store.cmivfx.com/
About cmiVFX
cmiVFX is the leader in High Definition Video Training for the Visual Effects Community. Register for FREE and receive hours of FREE content at the cmiVFX Video-on-Demand Player. ( http://store.cmivfx.com/login ) For additional information about cmiVFX, visit http://www.cmivfx.com. © 2010 cmiVFX | cmiStudios. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 7, 2011
more Houdini fur
Our friends over at Method sent us a link to their recent work profiled on FXGuide. This commercial coveted some time during the Superbowl yesterday, so we’re happy to have Houdini artists showcased on such a stage!
Plus you have to love the beaver…
Plus you have to love the beaver…
Friday, February 4, 2011
in dire need of Houdini artists
Hey everyone, and happy belated new year!
We’re currently in need of many, many Houdini artists in various regions such as Los Angeles, Vancouver, Australia, and London.
Many of you may have spoken to myself or other Side Effects staff regarding hiring, and right now we’re looking to help several of our clients find this talent.
Our website now boasts a full page of facilities looking to hire people using Houdini, so please check it out through the Community Tab HERE.
In the mean time, if you are a freelancer, and would like us to keep a copy of your CV and demo reel for consideration when speaking with clients, please email them to freelancer@sidefx.com.
Please also remember that you’re always encouraged to post about hiring gigs on our LinkedIn Group.
We’re currently in need of many, many Houdini artists in various regions such as Los Angeles, Vancouver, Australia, and London.
Many of you may have spoken to myself or other Side Effects staff regarding hiring, and right now we’re looking to help several of our clients find this talent.
Our website now boasts a full page of facilities looking to hire people using Houdini, so please check it out through the Community Tab HERE.
In the mean time, if you are a freelancer, and would like us to keep a copy of your CV and demo reel for consideration when speaking with clients, please email them to freelancer@sidefx.com.
Please also remember that you’re always encouraged to post about hiring gigs on our LinkedIn Group.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
December roundup
Hello Houdini folks! We've had a very busy winter season. Early this month we held an LA Networking event with recruiters from Motion Theory and R&H. We had over 100 attendees, old and new users alike, gathering to meet and greet and enjoy an evening of Houdini talk and catching up.
And on another note, we've recently done loads of new customer stories. Definitely check out the new one on the Katy Perry video done at Radium Reel FX.
Lastly, we're super excited about providing an all new user guide to Houdini. Lots of good stuff in there, and definitely worth a read even if you're an experienced user.
Best of luck and happy wishes to you till the new year!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Vancouver trip - November 2010
Hey Vancouver, thanks for the snow. It was great to see all our users and meet with various clients in the area. We were there for the VES Vancouver CAVE event at District 319.
As usual, VHUG had a great meeting, and we learned a bunch of new applications for using Houdini’s proceduralism.
Here’s a few photos of the Vancouver users who meet every few months. Definitely check up on their Facebook page to learn more!
Some users: Leo Chan (head of VHUG), Peter Bowmar, Caleb Howard, Georg Duemlein, Greg Massie, Ivan DeWolf, Carlos Lemus
Hey - here’s John Courte (Senior Houdini Artist) and Richard Hamel (VP Sales/Mktg) in front of the famous Steamclock in Gaslamp District!
As usual, VHUG had a great meeting, and we learned a bunch of new applications for using Houdini’s proceduralism.
Here’s a few photos of the Vancouver users who meet every few months. Definitely check up on their Facebook page to learn more!
Some users: Leo Chan (head of VHUG), Peter Bowmar, Caleb Howard, Georg Duemlein, Greg Massie, Ivan DeWolf, Carlos Lemus
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
October Roundup
Hey thanks to everyone who came out to the SF Usergroup at PIXAR last week. It was a great success and we had almost 100 attendees come see the presentations from Image Movers Digital and PIXAR :).
Here are a few photos:
Here are a few photos:
Xray from Image Movers Digital presents his Houdini and Massive workflow
Bay Area users watch - and some came in from Vancouver and Utah!
Last week, Side Effects also sponsored the 2nd VES Production Summit in Marina Del Rey. Here's a link to a Variety article re-capping some of its highlights.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Houdini Usergroup in Northern California
Hey everyone,
We'll be hosting a Houdini usergroup meeting with great presentations on October 20, 2010 at the PIXAR campus.
Please come here to RSVP!
We'll be hosting a Houdini usergroup meeting with great presentations on October 20, 2010 at the PIXAR campus.
Please come here to RSVP!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Post SIGGRAPH 2010 Roundup
We had an amazing time this year at SIGGRAPH 2010 in Los Angeles. Our Education Team had a booth on the show floor and met with loads of people eager to learn or teach Houdini at their schools.
We even held an education mixer at our Santa Monica Training space and had many attendees roll through to meet with various staff from Side Effects both LA and Toronto facilities.
All this was capped off by an amazing event to to launch our latest and greatest version of Houdini.
Lots of thanks again to our lovely presenters:
Thanks to everyone who came out for the Houdini 11 Launch event as well, we loved getting to hang with our talented users and fans. And the performance from Fire Groove made it all a wonderful celebration :).
We even held an education mixer at our Santa Monica Training space and had many attendees roll through to meet with various staff from Side Effects both LA and Toronto facilities.
All this was capped off by an amazing event to to launch our latest and greatest version of Houdini.
Lots of thanks again to our lovely presenters:
- Marion Spates and Christopher Leone from Motion Theory presenting on World of Color (Disney commercial)
- Jeremy Hampton from Digital Domain presenting on Percy Jackson
- Spencer Lueders from Framestore NY presenting on Salt.
Thanks to everyone who came out for the Houdini 11 Launch event as well, we loved getting to hang with our talented users and fans. And the performance from Fire Groove made it all a wonderful celebration :).
 |
| Spencer Lueders presenting on SALT |
 |
| mingling around and meeting other Houdini nerds |
Thursday, June 10, 2010
H11 and SIGGRAPH 2010!
It's been a while, I know. I owe a major blog update.
But for now, let's get excited about the news around Houdini 11! Check out the sneak peak from Kim on our site as well as a list of all the new stuff in there.
We'll be going Gold with Houdini 11 just before SIGGRAPH this year in Los Angeles... which means we'll have to celebration as well :)
Come join us for a great event at the Cooper Design Building in downtown Los Angeles on July 27th (just blocks away from the conference center).
Here's more information on the Launch Event as well as details for our Education Booth and presence at SIGGRAPH this year.
Don't forget to RSVP!!
PS: If you're currently a commercial customer current on AUP, you'll be getting access to Houdini 11 Beta in just a few short days.
But for now, let's get excited about the news around Houdini 11! Check out the sneak peak from Kim on our site as well as a list of all the new stuff in there.
We'll be going Gold with Houdini 11 just before SIGGRAPH this year in Los Angeles... which means we'll have to celebration as well :)
Come join us for a great event at the Cooper Design Building in downtown Los Angeles on July 27th (just blocks away from the conference center).
Here's more information on the Launch Event as well as details for our Education Booth and presence at SIGGRAPH this year.
Don't forget to RSVP!!
PS: If you're currently a commercial customer current on AUP, you'll be getting access to Houdini 11 Beta in just a few short days.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Leo Chan and Ziggy at GDX and SCAD
SCAD Atlanta and SCAD and the GDX in Savannah all got a great dose of Houdini from EA's Leo Chan and SESI's Ziggy Ostertag, with Aliza covering both bases. Here's a synopsis:Ziggy and Clark at SCAD Atlanta studio
SCAD grad students listening to
Ziggy's Intro to Houdini
Leo and Debra Fowler of SCAD field
questions at GDX
Leo introduces a whole new generation
to Brian Eno's
"Music for Airports",
via Houdini.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Colliding implied surfaces is cool!
Learn how with this Thursday's class "Understanding Volume Primitives". Dave Koester will break it down for all DOPs fans.
Call us for class files at 310.319.9876.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Beginners to Experts
Last week's training covered everything from "how to make a movie with special effects" (for Loyola Marymount students) and a "very gentle intro to Python in Houdini" with Igor Boshoer, to "Motion FX & CHOPs" with Gonzo Cababaca and "Python Tricks" with Houdini guru Luke Moore.Is that snake charming?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Side Effects Welcomes Siegfried Ostertag
Ziggy Ostertag has joined the Side Effects team as Houdini Trainer, and is shown here on his first day at work, right in the thick of it.Ziggy began his VFX career in Germany at Computer Projects Unlimited, and at C.O.R.E. & Effectory as both trainer and VFX TD. He has worked at Rhythm & Hues, Imageworks, and Digital Domain in LA.
Come learn from the master!
Houdini Training at Graffiti School, Mumbai
Andrew Lowell at Mumbai workshop with VFX trainers from Big Animation, Frameboxx, Foskia Graffiti and others.
Look for great Houdini effects coming out of Bollywood soon!
Monday, March 8, 2010
thanks VHUG!
John Courte and I just got back from beautiful Vancouver. What a way to catch up, the post Olympics sentiments and Canadian pride were still going strong.
While there, we had the pleasure of joining up with the VHUG (Vancouver Houdini User Group) for their first community presentation, kicked off and led by Leo Chan of Electronic Arts Canada.
Left to right (Leo Chan, unknown, Craig Zerounie, John Courte, Sean Lewkiw, Robert Kelly, Leyla Tirgari, Greg Massie, Paul Flanagan, Kashayar Khalkhaly)
While there, we had the pleasure of joining up with the VHUG (Vancouver Houdini User Group) for their first community presentation, kicked off and led by Leo Chan of Electronic Arts Canada.
 |
| From VHUG Kickoff Presentation for 2010 |
Left to right (Leo Chan, unknown, Craig Zerounie, John Courte, Sean Lewkiw, Robert Kelly, Leyla Tirgari, Greg Massie, Paul Flanagan, Kashayar Khalkhaly)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
VHUG Kickoff Presentation for 2010
John Courte (Senior Houdini Artist) and myself will be in Vancouver on March 3rd for the first presentation from the Vancouver Houdini User Group (VHUG).
Come join us at CIS Vancouver starting at 7pm to hear from Leo Chan from EA!
View Larger Map
We'll be buying the first round of drinks over a few blocks at the Whip Restaurant and Bar afterward to chat, meet, and mingle with the local userbase.
Don't forget to RSVP for the event on the official Facebook page!
Come join us at CIS Vancouver starting at 7pm to hear from Leo Chan from EA!
View Larger Map
We'll be buying the first round of drinks over a few blocks at the Whip Restaurant and Bar afterward to chat, meet, and mingle with the local userbase.
Don't forget to RSVP for the event on the official Facebook page!
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