Houdini Tools

Note: also see my youtube channel which has some Houdini tutorials

If you want to learn the ropes of Houdini, send me a message and I'd be happy to tutor.

You can download my Houdini package which includes HDAs and toolbars for easy access.

https://utils.dissonant.info/houdini_package/

All the following assets are included there.

Image Loader

Loads an image into SOPs (one prim per pixel) with the correct aspect ratio and scalable resolution

Connect Adjacent Points

Draws random lines between points with configurable distance and density

Path Deform Example

Shows how you can emulate Illustrator's pattern brush

Uniform Grid

Utility to create a grid where each cell is a uniform square size

Text Extrude Example

An example of how to create concentric rings around text

Perfect Cube Bounds

Gives you the smallest perfect cube which encompasses an object

Box Voxelize

Voxelizes a mesh into cubes with configurable resolution

Bowl Generator

Generates a bowl shape with a configurable height ramp

Extrude Curve to Ground

Extrudes a curve to fill in the space between it and the ground

Split by Geometry

Splits a mesh into pieces defined by another mesh

models-resource.com Downloader

Downloads & imports retro game assets from models-resource.com (Guide)

Asset Library Layout

Imports all assets in a folder and lays them out in a grid (Guide)

Autorig

A simple auto rigger for KineFX

Obj Importer Materials Fix

A patched version of the built in Obj importer which correctly loads materials

Attribute from Map with Alpha

A patched version of the built in Attribute from Map SOP which loads the Alpha channel, not just RGB

Split Volume / Merge Volume

Split a vec4 volume into separate R/G/B/A float volumes (and merge back afterward). This is needed in order to manipulate RGBA images with Python, for example.(Guide)

Alpha to Color (Copernicus)

Simple utility which sets color to black or white based on alpha

Color to Alpha (Copernicus)

A primitive Chromakey that sets alpha based on luminance threshold.

Delete Color (Copernicus)

Sets color and alpha to 0 at pixels within a configurable threshold of similarity to a particular color.

Random Dither (Copernicus)

Multiplies color by black or white probabilistically, based on luminance.

Color Pixel (Copernicus)

Simple utility which adds a marker at a particular UV location, with a particular size. Useful if you want to target an effect to a specific location and need to find the coordinate.

Mono Threshold (Copernicus)

Converts a color image to black and white based on a luminance threshold.

Quantize to Palette (Copernicus)

Changes colors to their closest match in a palette.

Color Mix Composite (Copernicus)

Finds the average / maximum / sum of two images's colors at the places where they both have positive Alpha. Inspired by Risograph printing.

Python Processor (Copernicus)

A minimal framework for processing images with Python. Processes all pixels in a single thread, so you don't have the same shader-style limitations as OpenCL or Vex. This makes it useful for integrating AI tools or for certain algorithms like pixel sorting (guide)

SDF Growth

A solver-based SDF growth algorithm that can make some pretty cool organic-looking effects (guide)

Sub Scene

An obj level subnet that lets you turn on/off a group of lights with a single click.

Press Buttons

A simple utility to automatically press some buttons in sequence.

Concentric Circles

Parameterized concentric circles creator with optional sin distortion. Whoa, dude.

SVG Export

A modified version of Entagma's SVG exporter SOP. See my tutorial on creating a font in Houdini

Draw Text

Grows curves in sequence (built to emulate handwriting) (guide)

Combine Textures

Combines multiple textures into a single atlas texture, and updates UVs accordingly. Useful for when you download a model that has multiple material assignments and you would prefer it be one material. (guide)

Mask from Raycast

Masks the points on a geometry which are visible from some other geometry. Not technically difficult, but just something I always forget how to do.

Spiral around Curve

Makes a spiral around a curve. I used this for physically simulated curly hair.

Sacred Geometry Grid

Makes this particular triangular grid which is a building block for "sacred geometry" patterns.

Poly from Points

Given some unsorted points, attempts to build a non-intersecting polygon by connecting each point to its closest neighbor. Useful e.g. for creating randomly generated shapes.

Split Curve Prims

Splits each segment of a (possibly intersecting) curve into its own primitive