Wednesday, October 18th, 2017 Posted by Jim Thacker

The Gnomon Workshop ships Introduction to Houdini 17


The Gnomon Workshop has released Introduction to Houdini 17, the first in a new series of training videos introducing new users to SideFX’s powerful procedural 3D animation and effects software.

Updated 20 September 2019: This tutorial was originally named Houdini Fast Track Vol. 1 on its release. We’ve updated the story to match its current title on The Gnomon Workshop website.

Recorded by Psyop veteran Robby Branham, the series is intended to provide a complete starter course for an application much in demand in visual effects, games and animation facilities.

The training is also aimed at experienced artists looking for extra ways to solve tough production problems.

Get up and running in Houdini with this essential quickstart guide
In this initial video, which lasts for over four hours, Branham sets out the fundamental concepts of Houdini’s procedural environment, including nodes, parameters, groups and attributes.

He then covers the basics of procedural modeling, rigid body dynamics, fracturing, simulations using Houdini’s Pyro FX toolset, visual scripting using the VEX system, and rendering with the Mantra renderer.

Branham also explores workflows for exporting 3D data to other applications, like Maya and Nuke, in order to enable viewers to build a shot using multiple 3D packages.

Individual tutorials cover asset creation, fire effects, particle dust, expressions, materials and lights.

Branham also provides a four-part breakdown of the tutorial’s cover art, shown at the start of the video above, including concept and previs work, asset creation, FX animation, rendering and compositing.

About the artist
Senior 3D generalist and compositing artist Robby Branham began his career in entertainment production in 2009. Since then, he has worked for firms including Psyop, Digital Domain, Pixomondo, and Zoic Studios.

His work can be seen in film, commercials and game cinematics such as Microsoft’s ReCore and Supercell’s Clash of Clans. He has also taught at Hollywood’s Gnomon – School of Visual Effects, Games and Animation.

Pricing and availability
Introduction to Houdini 17 is available via an online subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, giving you access to over 300 tutorials. Subscriptions cost $49/month or $490/year, and there is a free trial available.

Read more about Introduction to Houdini 17 on The Gnomon Workshop’s website


Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.