Thursday, December 31st, 2020 Posted by Jim Thacker

Master Houdini’s Ocean toolset


The Gnomon Workshop has released Introduction to the Houdini Ocean Toolset, an introduction to Houdini’s ocean simulation system, recorded by FX TD Danny Barnhart.

The workshop, which comprises over three hours of video training, complements Barnhart’s previous tutorial Introduction to FLIP Fluids in Houdini

Learn how to use Houdini’s Ocean toolset to create wide and close-up simulations of ocean surfaces
In the tutorial, Barnhart reveals how to create an animated ocean surface, complete with foam and spray.

He begins by explaining the basics of spectral ocean simulation, including how each parameter affects the resulting ocean surface, how to layer wave patterns, and how to use custom masks and instanced waves.

Once the surface motion is estabished, he adds environment geometry and discusses how to simulate foam.

In the next project, Barnhart explores how to transition between the large ocean surface and a close-up shot using FLIP fluids for the water, using the ocean spectrum to drive the FLIP simulation.

He then discusses how to mesh the simulation, how to add spray for extra realism, and how to set up simple lighting and shaders for rendering the scene in Houdini’s Mantra renderer.

As well as the videos themselves, viewers can download the Houdini scene files showing the final node set-up for each project, along with the palm tree model used to create them.

About the artist
Danny Barnhart is an effects artist who has worked in feature animation, episodic TV and commercials. His credits include Spies in Disguise at Blue Sky Studios, and TV shows Dispatches from Elsewhere and Evil.

He currently works as a freelance artist and as a story consultant, and loves contributing his skills and voice to projects that highlight the experiences of marginalised groups.

Pricing and availability
Introduction to the Houdini Ocean Toolset is available via an online subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, providing access to over 300 tutorials. Subscriptions cost $49/month or $490/year. Free trials are available.

Read more about Introduction to the Houdini Ocean Toolset on The Gnomon Workshop’s website


Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.